Rocks cannot grow like plants and animals do,because rocks are not living things. There are two main differences between living and nonliving things. One is that living things grow and change.Nonliving things do not grow and change. A pebble will never grow into a big rock. The other difference is that living things have basic needs that help them stay alive. Animals need air, water, and food. Plants require nutrients and light. When they get these things, living things are able to grow and change.
Word List
pebble : a very small rock
require : need
nutrients : food given to plants or animals
You Practice
I. Some things grow and some do not. Circle the things that can grow.
rock frog tree baby flowe
II. Living things need food, water, and air. These help living things survive (to stay living). Food, water, and air also help living things grow and change.
1) Complete the sentence: Living things need food, water , and air to c _ _ _ _ _.
2) Read each sentence. Write Yes or No.
____ 1) A cat needs food to survive.
____ 2) A tree needs air to survive.
____ 3) A baby needs toys to survive.
3) What things does a dog need to survive?
food ball water
III. A rock is nonliving. It does not grow and change. It does not need food, water, and air. Circle the nonliving things.
spoon bug box dog cat
1) Choose the correct answer. How are nonliving things the same?
a. They don't need food, water, or air.
b. They move and breathe.
c. They grow and change.
2) What are four nonliving things in your house?
______________
______________
______________
______________
3) Complete the sentence. Write the word.
A rock is n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
4) Complete the sentences. Use these words:
living nonliving survive
A rock is____________________________.
A butterfly is ________________________.
I need air, water, and food to____________.