1
Living or non-living?
Discover Term 1: Axis 2, Chapter 1
GoalTell living things from non-living things by asking four questions.
New words
environment · everything around usliving · it grows, needs food, water and airnon-living · it does not grow or eat or breathe
Explanation
Our environment is everything around us. There are living things and non-living things in it. A living thing grows and changes. It needs food and water. It needs air to breathe. Animals can move by themselves. A tree does not walk, but it grows. A non-living thing does none of these things. A rock, a ball and a slide are not alive.
Worked examples
| question | bird | rock |
|---|---|---|
| grows? | yes | no |
| needs food and water? | yes | no |
| needs air? | yes | no |
A rock is non-living. It never grows, eats or breathes.
A tree is living. It grows taller and needs water and air. It does not walk.
Class activity
Playground check with a grown-up. Choose four things in a playground or garden. Ask about each: Does it grow? Does it need food and water? Does it need air? Does it move by itself? Decide: living or non-living? Do not touch animals. Then read the song “Living Things” on page 70 of your book together.
Practice
1
Is a butterfly living?
Yes. It grows, eats and moves.
2
Is a kite living?
No. It does not grow or eat.
3
Which one is living? Say the letter.
B, the fish.
4
Say two things that all living things need.
For example: food and water, or air.