Natural Sciences - Term 4 - Week 6

Living things are organisms that exhibit characteristics such as growth, reproduction, response to stimuli, and metabolism. Examples include animals, plants, and microorganisms. 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.

Let's classify some examples together. If I say 'dog', we can identify it as a living thing because it grows, eats, and reproduces. Conversely, if I mention 'chair', we recognize it as a non-living thing since it does not grow or reproduce. By discussing various examples, we can enhance our understanding of the characteristics that define living and non-living things.

In small groups, students will receive a set of images depicting various items. Each group will categorize the images into two groups: living and non-living. After categorizing, each group will present their findings to the class, explaining why they classified each item as they did. This will encourage discussion and reinforce their understanding of the characteristics of living and non-living things.

For this mini-project, students will create a poster that showcases examples of living and non-living things found in their immediate environment, such as their home or school. They should include at least five examples of each category, along with a brief description of why each item fits its category. Students will then present their posters to the class, fostering a sense of ownership and reinforcing their learning.

• They can be moved by wind.
• They grow and develop.
• They are made of rocks.
• They can be painted.

Answer: They grow and develop.

Living things grow and develop over time, which is a key characteristic that distinguishes them from non-living things.

• Tree
• Dog
• Water
• Cat

Answer: Water

Water is a non-living thing as it does not exhibit the characteristics of life such as growth or reproduction.

Answer: A cat. It is classified as a living thing because it grows, reproduces, and responds to its environment.

Cats exhibit all the characteristics of living organisms, including growth and reproduction.

• Fish
• Rock
• Tree
• Bird

Answer: Rock

A rock is a non-living thing as it does not grow, reproduce, or respond to stimuli.

Answer: Living things can reproduce, while non-living things cannot.

Reproduction is a key characteristic that distinguishes living things from non-living things.

• All plants are non-living.
• All animals are living.
• All rocks are living.
• All water is living.

Answer: All animals are living.

Animals are classified as living things because they exhibit characteristics such as growth and reproduction.

Answer: A book and a car.

Both a book and a car do not grow, reproduce, or respond to stimuli, making them non-living.