Living and Nonliving Things

Grade 1 · Science · Study Guide

Learn how to tell the difference between living things and nonliving things in the world around you.

Look around you! Some things are alive, and some things are not. Living things are special because they can do things that nonliving things cannot. Living things grow and change over time. A tiny seed grows into a tall tree. A baby kitten grows into a cat. Living things also need food, water, air, and space to survive. They can respond to things around them — like a plant turning toward sunlight.

Another important thing about living things is that they reproduce, which means they make more of their own kind. Dogs have puppies. Flowers make seeds. All living things are made of tiny parts called cells.

Nonliving things do not grow on their own, do not need food or water, and cannot make more of themselves. A rock, a chair, water, and a cloud are nonliving. Some nonliving things, like water, can help living things survive, but that does not make them alive. When you look at something, ask yourself: Does it grow? Does it need food and water? Can it reproduce? If yes to all three, it is living!

Key terms

Living Thing
Something that grows, needs food and water, breathes, and can reproduce.
Nonliving Thing
Something that does not grow, eat, breathe, or reproduce on its own.
Reproduce
To make more of the same kind of living thing, like a cat having kittens.
Grow
To get bigger and change over time, which all living things do.

Flashcards

Living Thing
Grows, needs food and water, breathes, and reproduces.
Nonliving Thing
Does not grow, eat, or reproduce on its own. Example: a rock.
Reproduce
Making more of the same kind of living thing.
Grow
Getting bigger and changing over time.
Needs of Living Things
Food, water, air, and space.
Cell
The tiny building block that all living things are made of.
Plant (example of living)
A living thing that grows, needs water and sunlight, and makes seeds.
Rock (example of nonliving)
A nonliving thing — it does not grow, eat, or reproduce.

Questions

  1. Which of these is a living thing?

    1. A rock
    2. A puppy
    3. A cloud
    4. A shoe
    Show answer

    Answer: A puppy

    A puppy is a living thing because it grows, needs food and water, breathes, and will one day reproduce.

  2. A living thing needs food and water to survive.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    All living things need food and water to stay alive and grow.

  3. Which of these is a nonliving thing?

    1. A tree
    2. A fish
    3. A bicycle
    4. A mushroom
    Show answer

    Answer: A bicycle

    A bicycle is nonliving — it does not grow, eat, breathe, or reproduce on its own.

  4. When a living thing makes more of its own kind, we say it can ___.

    Show answer

    Answer: reproduce

    Reproduce means to make more of the same kind. Dogs have puppies, flowers make seeds.

  5. What do all living things do over time?

    1. Fly
    2. Grow
    3. Shine
    4. Float
    Show answer

    Answer: Grow

    All living things grow and change over time. A baby grows into an adult, a seed grows into a plant.

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