Natural Sciences - Term 1 - Week 2

Living things are organisms that exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and metabolism. Examples include animals, plants, and bacteria. Non-living things, on the other hand, do not possess these characteristics. They can be natural, like rocks and water, or man-made, like toys and buildings. Understanding the differences between these two categories helps us appreciate the diversity of our environment.

Consider a tree and a rock. The tree is a living thing because it grows, produces leaves, and can reproduce through seeds. In contrast, the rock is non-living; it does not grow or reproduce. Another example is a dog, which is a living creature that responds to its environment, while a chair is non-living as it serves a purpose but does not exhibit any life processes.

Let's have a class discussion! I will show you pictures of various objects, and you will help me categorize them into living and non-living things. For each object, think about its characteristics. Does it grow? Can it reproduce? Does it respond to its environment? This will help reinforce your understanding of the differences between living and non-living things.

For your mini-project, create a chart that lists at least five living things and five non-living things. For each item, write down one characteristic that supports its classification. You can draw pictures or find images to illustrate your chart. Be prepared to share your findings with the class and explain your reasoning.

• They can move on their own.
• They do not need food.
• They cannot reproduce.
• They are always large.

Answer: They can move on their own.

Living things have the ability to move, either on their own or through external forces.

• A cat
• A tree
• A rock
• A flower

Answer: A rock

A rock does not exhibit any life processes, making it a non-living thing.

Answer: Living things can grow.

Growth is a fundamental characteristic of living organisms.

• A fish
• A tree
• A cloud
• A bird

Answer: A cloud

A cloud is a collection of water droplets and does not exhibit life characteristics.

Answer: A dog; it grows, reproduces, and responds to its environment.

Dogs exhibit all the characteristics of living organisms.

• They can reproduce.
• They grow and develop.
• They do not have life processes.
• They can respond to stimuli.

Answer: They do not have life processes.

Non-living things do not exhibit any characteristics of life.

Answer: It does not grow.

Non-living things do not undergo growth or development.