1st Grade Science

Introduction to scientific concepts and natural world exploration for first grade students.

Observing the World Around UsLiving and Nonliving ThingsWeather and Seasons
Simple Experiments and InvestigationsHabitats and Where Things LiveThe Five Senses and How We Use Them
Exploring Nature in Your NeighborhoodKeeping Healthy and SafeRecycling and Taking Care of the Earth
Using Pictures and Drawings to LearnAsking Questions and Talking About Science
Observing the World ...Living and Nonliving...Weather and SeasonsSimple Experiments a...Habitats and Where T...The Five Senses and ...Exploring Nature in ...Keeping Healthy and ...Recycling and Taking...Using Pictures and D...Asking Questions and...
Basic Concepts

Living and Nonliving Things

What Makes Something Alive?

Living things grow, need food and water, move, and can have babies. People, animals, and plants are all living things.

  • Grow: Plants get bigger, and puppies become dogs.
  • Need food and water: All living things eat or drink.
  • Move: Animals walk, and plants turn to face the sun.
  • Reproduce: Living things can make more of their kind.

Nonliving Things

Nonliving things do not grow, need food, or reproduce. Rocks, water, and toys are nonliving.

How to Tell the Difference

Ask these questions:

  • Does it eat or drink?
  • Can it grow?
  • Can it have babies?
  • Does it move on its own?

If the answer is no, it's probably nonliving!

Why It Matters

Knowing if something is living or nonliving helps us take care of pets and plants, and understand our environment.

Examples

  • A cat is living; a stuffed animal is nonliving.

  • A tree is living; a rock is nonliving.

In a Nutshell

Living things grow and need food, while nonliving things do not.

Key Terms

Living
Something that grows, eats, moves, and reproduces.
Nonliving
Something that does not grow, eat, move, or reproduce.
Next
Weather and Seasons