Science Sunday: Pet Rocks

This past week, we have begun working on
Biology.

And you can't talk Biology without discussing
the idea of classification.

One of the ways we discussed classifying objects
was by figuring out if they are
living or non-living.

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We watched a segment from
THIS DVD about the eight characteristics
an object must meet in order
to be considered as living.

(You can also click HERE for some good FREE video clips
about living and non-living objects.)

These characteristics are as follows:

Survivability
Adaptation
Responsiveness
Genetic Composition
Mutation
Evolution
Genetic variation
Cellular composition
Metabolism
Movement (locomotion)
Reproduction
Development
Growth
Homeostasis
Organization

On the DVD, the Scientist was investigating
her pet rock, Harold, to see if he was alive.

Harold was most definitely NOT living.

After watching this investigation,
we needed to make our own
non-living Pet Rocks, too....

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First, we painted them...

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Later, we gave them some "personality" by adding
goggly eyes, hair, and other paint markings...

Sure, they aren't living,
but they are still cute, don't ya think?

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head on over to Science Sunday...