Basic 1 · Science · Living and Non-Living Things
What Living Things Need
In this topic you will learn that all living things need food, water and air to live.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name the three basic needs of living things
- Explain why living things need food, water and air
- Care for a plant or animal
What you already know
- Plants and animals around us
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Diversity of matter
- Sub-strand
- Living and Non-Living Things
- Indicator
- B1.1.1.2.2 – Know the basic needs of living things (food, water and air)
Introduction
Kojo planted two maize seedlings. He watered one every day. He forgot the other one. The one without water died. Why?
1. Basic Needs
All living things need three things to live.
| Need | Why we need it |
|---|---|
| Food | It gives us energy to grow and move. |
| Water | We cannot live without it. |
| Air | We breathe it in to live. |
2. How Plants and Animals Get Their Needs
- Plants get water from the soil through their roots.
- Plants make their own food using sunlight.
- Animals eat plants or other animals.
- Animals drink water.
Remember: A plant without water will dry up and die.
New words
- need
- Something we must have to live.
- food
- What living things eat to grow.
- water
- A clear liquid all living things drink.
- air
- What we breathe in. We cannot see it.
Summary
- Living things need food, water and air.
- Plants take water from the soil.
- Animals eat food and drink water.
Class activity: Seedling Test
- Look at the two maize seedlings in pots.
- Water one seedling every day. Do not water the other.
- Look at both after a few days.
- Say what happened to each one.
You need: Potted maize seedlings, Local soil, Cup of water
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a basic need of living things?
- A. Toys
- B. Water
- C. Shoes
- D. Books
Show answer
Answer: WaterAll living things need water.2. Where do plants get water from?
- A. The soil
- B. The sky only
- C. Stones
- D. Books
Show answer
Answer: The soilRoots take water from the soil.3. Animals need air to live.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueAnimals breathe air.4. A plant can live without water.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt will dry up and die.5. Living things need food, water and ______.
Show answer
Answer: airThese are the three basic needs.6. Why do we eat food?
Show answer
Answer: To get energy to grow and move.Food gives us energy.
Homework
- Water a plant at home for one week. Draw it at the end of the week.