As part of the "Next Generation Science Standards" (K-LS1-1), students are expected to develop an understanding of what living things need in order to live and grow. The lessons provided in this article help students understand the difference between living and nonliving things, and help them acquire important background knowledge to work toward achieving the "Next Generation" standard. By developing their key indicators of what makes something living, students were able to use patterns in at least two different contexts and compare/contrast their work in the two activities described in this article. The described activities helped students develop a deep understanding of how scientists work, and engaged them in scientific practices such as asking questions, analyzing and interpreting data, and developing and engaging in argument from evidence.