| 3. Inanimate matter |
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Inanimate matter does not have the same
functions as living organisms: it does not eat, it does not grow,
it does not reproduce, etc. Soil, rocks, water, air and the objects
that we manufacture are examples of inanimate matter.
We are surrounded by all sorts of objects: big, small, transparent,
lightweight, soft, heavy, etc. Objects are made of highly diverse
materials: some, such as wool or wood, which come directly from nature,
are natural materials. Others, such as plastic, are artificial or
transformed by human beings, and they are obtained from other materials.
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| Classifying. When we classify elements, we
group them according to some criterion (objective, use, shape,
colour, degree, class, etc.). Before classifying we have to study
elements and arrange them according to the differences or similarities
between them. Classifying is a way of putting order in our experience.
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| Study carefully the objects that appear in the painting
in this section. Of the objects in the painting, say which ones
are made of natural materials and which are made
of artificial materials. You can do the same exercise
with objects that you bring to class. |
| OBJECT |
NATURAL
MATERIAL |
ARTIFICIAL
MATERIAL |
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| Start a collection of
pretty stones, shells or, if you have the chance, minerals found in
your area. |
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| Exercise. Reasoning
about rocks, in Wondering at the World, 7.4.11 |
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| © Grup IREF 2003, with the support of the European Commission, DG XXII (Socrates/Comenius 3.2) |
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