This document provides an overview of a module that will examine life forms other than plants and animals, including microscopic organisms. Students will observe macroscopic and microscopic life forms using magnifying lenses and microscopes, if available. These organisms are found in soil, water, air, on our bodies, and in our food. Some of these other life forms are useful to humans, while others can cause disease. The module involves hands-on activities where students observe, record, communicate, collect specimens, infer, and answer questions about these other living things.

3. OTHER LIVING
THINGS BESIDES
PLANTS &
ANIMALS
Overview
In this module, you will start examining life
forms other than the plants and animals you
studied in Grades 3 through 6. You will
begin with the macroscopic forms or
parts that you can see and move to the
barely noticeable ones, using a
magnifying lens. If your school has a
microscope you can observe the truly
microscopic forms as well. These
cannot be seen by the naked eye, not even
through magnifying lenses. These life
forms are in the soil, water and air all
around us. They are on our body and
inside it, on the food we eat and the things
we use. Many are useful to humans while
some are harmful and may cause disease. In
studying them we develop inquiry skills and
use a powerful observation device, the
microscope, if available. You and your
classmates will perform two hands-on
activities in this module, which entail
observing, recording, communicating by
drawing and writing, going out in the school
grounds to collect specimens, inferring and
answering questions. What are the other
living things besides plants and animals?
Which are useful to us? Which are
harmful?
Suggested time allotment: 4 hours
MODULE