Living, dead and never alive
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Say what makes a thing living, and give examples of living things
- Name a dead thing, and say that it was once alive
- Name a thing that has never been alive, even if it can move
- Sort things into living, dead and never alive using two questions
- Record yes or no with ticks and dashes, and count the results
- Ask a question that I can check, such as: can it grow?
You should already know
- Working like a scientist: observing, sorting and recording (Year 2, Chapter 1)
- Plants and animals around us, and animal groups (Year 1 Science)
Where this leads
- Habitats: where living things live (Chapter 3)
- Food chains: what living things eat (Chapter 4)
National Curriculum for England, Key Stage 1 science, Year 2. Content: Explore and compare the differences between things that are living, dead, and things that have never been alive, Say what living things need to stay alive, and what they can do: grow, need air and water, have babies, Sort things into living, dead and never alive by asking two questions, Check ideas by asking questions, recording ticks and counts, and comparing the results.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Think about which animal has no legs.
- Check snake. A snake has no legs. It slides along the ground.snake
- Check cat. A cat has four legs.cat
- Check dog. A dog has four legs.dog
- Write the answer. snake
Check. Only the snake has no legs. ✓
Watch out. Count the legs of each animal, one at a time.
Method. Think about where each part of the plant is.
- Look at the roots. Roots grow under the soil, and they take in water.roots: under the soil
- Look at the leaves. Leaves grow above the soil, so they do not take in water from it.leaves: above the soil
- Write the answer. roots
Check. Roots are under the ground, and leaves are above it. ✓
Watch out. Roots hold the plant in the soil and take in water from it.
Method. Count the legs of a spider.
- Look at the spider. A spider has four pairs of legs.four pairs
- Count the legs in pairs. Each pair has two legs.2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. Count the legs one at a time: 1 to 8. ✓
Watch out. A spider has eight legs. An insect has six.
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.snails 4, worms 3
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.4 + 3 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 7. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Think about which tool measures length.
- Check ruler. A ruler measures length in centimetres.ruler
- Check timer. A timer measures how long something takes, not length.timer
- Write the answer. ruler
Check. A ruler is the right tool for length. ✓
Watch out. Lay the worm along the ruler from the 0 mark.
Living things
A living thing is alive. Plants and animals are living things. A tree, a worm and a bird are all alive.
Living things grow and change. They need air and water to stay alive. Animals also need food.
Living things can have babies. Animals have babies, and plants make seeds that can grow into new plants.
A tree does not walk about, but it is still alive. It grows, it takes in water and it needs air.
A simple note. Scientists say that living things do seven jobs to stay alive. They move, grow, feed, breathe, get rid of waste, notice things and have babies. You do not need to learn these names yet.
Key ideas
- A living thing is alive.
- Living things grow and change.
- Living things need air and water.
- Animals also need food.
- Living things can have babies or seeds.
Method. Look for the signs of life: moving, eating and growing.
- Look at the snail. A snail moves slowly and eats plants.moves and eats
- Check the clue. A thing that moves, eats and grows is living.snail: living
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A snail is an animal, and animals are living. ✓
Watch out. A snail is slow, but it is still alive.
Method. Think about which one grows and needs air and water.
- Check daisy. A daisy grows, and it needs water and air.daisy
- Check stone. A stone does not grow, eat or breathe.stone
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. Only the daisy is living. ✓
Watch out. Look for the signs of life.
Method. Read Tom’s idea and check it.
- Read Tom’s idea. Tom thinks only things that move are alive.Tom: must move
- Check the tree. A tree grows, and it needs water and air, even though it stays still.tree: grows
- Write the answer. no
Check. A tree is living, even though it does not move about. ✓
Watch out. Growing and needing water and air are signs of life.
Watch out
Watch out: a living thing does not have to move fast. A tulip stays in one place, but it is still living.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, go outside and find three living things: a plant, a bird and a minibeast. Look at them from a safe distance. Do not pick up or touch any wild animal. Say why each one is living. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Is it alive? How do you know?” Let your child name the signs: it grows, it needs air and water, and it can have babies.
Exercise 2A Living things
Method. Look for the signs of life.
- Look at the worm. A worm moves, eats and grows.moves, eats, grows
- Check the clue. Anything that moves, eats and grows is living.worm: living
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A worm is alive, so the answer is yes. ✓
Watch out. A worm breathes through its skin, so it needs air.
Method. Look for the signs of life.
- Look at the daisy. A daisy grows from a seed, and it needs water and air.grows, needs water
- Check the clue. A plant that grows is living.daisy: living
- Write the answer. yes
Check. A daisy is a living plant. ✓
Watch out. Plants are living things, even though they do not move about.
Method. Think about which one grows, eats and breathes.
- Check cat. A cat grows, eats food and breathes air.cat
- Check book. A book does not grow, eat or breathe.book
- Write the answer. cat
Check. Only the cat is alive. ✓
Watch out. Look for the signs of life: growing, eating and breathing.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check rabbit. A rabbit is alive, and it needs water.rabbit
- Check car. A car is never alive, so it does not need water.car
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. A rabbit needs water. A car does not. ✓
Watch out. Living things need water and air to stay alive.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check bird. A bird is alive, and it breathes air.bird
- Check ball. A ball is never alive, so it does not breathe.ball
- Write the answer. bird
Check. Only the bird needs air to stay alive. ✓
Watch out. A ball has never been alive.
Method. Think about which one is an animal that eats.
- Check frog. A frog is an animal, and it eats insects to stay alive.frog
- Check cup. A cup is never alive, so it does not eat.cup
- Write the answer. frog
Check. Only the frog needs food. ✓
Watch out. Animals need food, but cups do not.
Method. Think about which one gets bigger over time.
- Check oak tree. An oak tree grows from a seed and gets bigger over time.oak tree
- Check ruler. A ruler is a tool. It does not grow.ruler
- Write the answer. oak tree
Check. Only the oak tree grows. ✓
Watch out. Living things grow and change over time.
Method. Count the worms once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 5 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Ask two questions about hedgehog: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A hedgehog moves, eats and grows.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about cloud: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A cloud does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? A cloud is made of tiny drops of water in the air, and it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about tulip: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A tulip grows, and it needs water and air.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks only things that move are alive.Ali: must move
- Check the tulip. A tulip grows and needs water and air, so it is alive.tulip: alive
- Write the answer. no
Check. A tulip is living, even though it does not move. ✓
Watch out. Growing and needing water and air are signs of life.
Method. Check which thing is not living.
- Check the snail and the ladybird. Both are animals, and both are living.living
- Check the cup. A cup has never been alive, so it does not fit.cup: never alive
- Write the answer. cup
Check. Two are living, and one is not. ✓
Watch out. Look for the one that is in a different group.
Method. Think about which one is living.
- Check rabbit. A rabbit is alive, and rabbits can have babies.rabbit
- Check jar. A jar is never alive, so it cannot have babies.jar
- Write the answer. rabbit
Check. Only a living animal can have babies. ✓
Watch out. Jars do not grow, so they cannot have babies.
Method. Think about what a living rabbit does.
- Look at the rabbit. A rabbit eats, breathes, moves and grows.eats, breathes, moves, grows
- Choose one word. Any one of these jobs is correct.grows
- Write the answer. grows
Check. Also accept: eats, breathes, moves, has babies. ✓
Watch out. Choose a word for something the rabbit does, not something it has.
Things that were once alive
Some things were alive, but they are not alive now. We call them dead.
A dead thing does not grow, move or change. It cannot take in water or air, and it does not need food.
A leaf on a tree is living. When it falls to the ground and dries up, it is dead. It was part of a living tree.
A flower that has been dried is dead too. It was once a living flower.
Key ideas
- Dead things were alive once.
- Dead things do not grow or move.
- Dead things do not need food or water.
- A fallen leaf is dead.
Method. Ask two questions about a fallen leaf: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It grew on a living tree.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one was ever alive.
- Check stone. A stone has never been alive.stone
- Check dried flower. A dried flower was alive, but it is not alive now.dried flower
- Write the answer. dried flower
Check. Only the dried flower was once alive. ✓
Watch out. A stone is never alive. A dead thing was once alive.
Method. Read Tom’s idea and check it.
- Read Tom’s idea. Tom thinks a dead leaf can grow again.Tom: grows again
- Check the leaf. A dead leaf cannot grow. It has stopped living.dead: no growing
- Write the answer. no
Check. A dead thing cannot start to grow again. ✓
Watch out. Dead things do not grow or change now.
Watch out
Watch out: dead does not mean never alive. A dead leaf was part of a living tree, so it was once alive.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, find a fallen leaf on the ground. Look at its colour and its edges. Do not touch it with bare hands. Never touch a dead animal; tell a grown-up if you see one. Wash your hands afterwards.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask two questions: “Is it alive now?” and “Was it ever alive?” Let your child answer each one before choosing a group.
Exercise 2B Dead things
Method. Ask two questions about a fallen leaf: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It grew on a living tree.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about where the leaf grew.
- Look at where it grew. It grew on a living tree.it grew on a tree
- Check the clue. Something that grew on a living tree was once alive.once alive
- Write the answer. yes
Check. The leaf was part of a living tree. ✓
Watch out. A leaf can be dead now, and still have been alive before.
Method. Think about which leaf is no longer alive.
- Check A. Leaf A has fallen and dried up, so it is dead.A
- Check B. Leaf B is on a living tree, so it is alive.B
- Write the answer. A
Check. Only leaf A is dead. ✓
Watch out. A leaf on a living tree is alive.
Method. Ask two questions about a dried flower: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It was a living flower before it dried up.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about what dead things do.
- Think about growing. Living things grow. Dead things have stopped growing.dead: no growing
- Check the statement. So a dead thing cannot grow.the statement is false
- Write the answer. false
Check. Dead things do not grow. ✓
Watch out. Growing is something that only living things do.
Method. Think about what a dead leaf needs.
- Think about living things. Living things need water and air to stay alive.alive: needs water
- Think about the dead leaf. A dead leaf is not alive, so water does not keep it alive.dead: no need
- Write the answer. false
Check. A dead leaf is not alive. ✓
Watch out. Water keeps living things alive. It does not keep dead things alive.
Method. Think about which one was ever alive.
- Check stone. A stone has never been alive.stone
- Check fallen leaf. A fallen leaf grew on a tree, so it was alive, and it is dead now.fallen leaf
- Write the answer. fallen leaf
Check. Only the fallen leaf was once alive. ✓
Watch out. A stone is never alive. A dead thing was once alive.
Method. Count the fallen leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 3 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Read Lily’s idea and check it.
- Read Lily’s idea. Lily thinks being on the ground means it is alive.Lily: on the ground
- Check the leaf. A leaf on the ground is not growing or taking in water, so it is dead.not growing: dead
- Write the answer. no
Check. Where a thing is does not decide if it is alive. ✓
Watch out. Look at the signs of life, not at where the thing is.
Method. Think about what a dead leaf can do.
- Think about the leaf. The leaf is dead, so it cannot grow.dead: no growing
- Think about a seed. A seed can grow into a new plant, but a leaf cannot.seed: can grow; leaf: no
- Write the answer. no
Check. A dead leaf cannot grow into a tree. ✓
Watch out. A seed can grow into a plant. A dead leaf cannot.
Method. Ask two questions about dried flower: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It was a living flower before it dried up.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about teddy: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A teddy is a toy. It does not grow or eat.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about worm: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A worm moves, eats and grows.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one is no longer alive.
- Check tree. A tree is living, so it is not dead.tree
- Check dried flower. A dried flower was alive once, and it is not alive now.dried flower
- Check rabbit. A rabbit is living, so it is not dead.rabbit
- Write the answer. dried flower
Check. Only the dried flower is dead. ✓
Watch out. Dead things were alive once.
Method. Think about what living things do.
- Think about living things. Living things grow, and they take in water and air.grow, water, air
- Look at the fallen leaf. The fallen leaf is no longer growing or taking in water.no growing, no water
- Write the answer. it has stopped growing
Check. Also accept: it cannot take in water any more; it is no longer alive. ✓
Watch out. Say what the leaf has stopped doing, not what it looks like.
Things that have never been alive
Some things have never been alive. A ball, a cup and a stone have never grown, eaten or breathed.
Things that people make, such as cars and toys, are never alive. Natural things, such as stones and clouds, are never alive too.
Some never-alive things can move. A car moves when it is driven, and a cloud moves when the wind blows it. They are still never alive.
Key ideas
- Never alive means it has never been alive.
- Never-alive things do not grow or need food.
- A car can move, but it is never alive.
- A cloud is never alive.
Method. Ask two questions about a cup: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A cup does not grow or eat.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check snail. A snail is alive, and it eats and grows.snail
- Check jar. A jar is made by people, and it has never been alive.jar
- Write the answer. jar
Check. Only the jar has never been alive. ✓
Watch out. Living things eat and grow. A jar does not.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks that moving means living.Ali: moves
- Check the bike. A bike moves, but it does not grow, eat or breathe.bike: no growing
- Write the answer. no
Check. A bike is never alive, even though it moves. ✓
Watch out. Moving is not the same as being alive.
Watch out
Watch out: moving is not the same as being alive. A car and a cloud both move, but neither one is living.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, look around the house. Find three things that have never been alive, such as a spoon, a book and a toy. Say how you know. Do not touch anything hot or sharp.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask: “Does it grow? Does it need food? Has it ever been alive?” Let your child answer yes or no for each question.
Exercise 2C Things that have never been alive
Method. Ask two questions about a stone: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A stone does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? A stone is rock, and it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a ball: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A ball does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? A ball is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check snail. A snail is alive, so it has been alive.snail
- Check cup. A cup has never been alive.cup
- Write the answer. cup
Check. Only the cup has never been alive. ✓
Watch out. A snail grows and eats.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check car. A car moves, but it has never been alive.car
- Check worm. A worm is alive, so it is not never alive.worm
- Write the answer. car
Check. The car can move, and it is never alive. ✓
Watch out. Moving does not mean a thing is alive.
Method. Think about what needs food.
- Think about living things. Only living things need food to stay alive.living: needs food
- Check the cup. A cup is never alive, so it does not need food.cup: no food
- Write the answer. false
Check. A cup is not alive, so it needs no food. ✓
Watch out. Food is for living things.
Method. Think about growing.
- Think about growing. Growing is something living things do.living: grows
- Check the car. A car is never alive, so it cannot grow by itself.car: cannot grow
- Write the answer. false
Check. A car does not grow. ✓
Watch out. Things that grow are living.
Method. Ask two questions about a cloud: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A cloud does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? A cloud is tiny drops of water in the air, and it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one is alive, or has been alive.
- Check teddy. A teddy is a toy, and it has never been alive.teddy
- Check tree. A tree is living, so it has been alive.tree
- Write the answer. teddy
Check. Only the teddy has never been alive. ✓
Watch out. A tree grows and needs water.
Method. Count the cars once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4 5 6
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.6
- Write the answer. 6
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 6 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Ask two questions about bike: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A bike does not grow or eat.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about bird: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A bird grows, eats and breathes.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about jar: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A jar does not grow or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about what living things do.
- Think about a living thing. A living thing grows, eats and breathes.grows, eats, breathes
- Check the jar. A jar does not grow, eat or breathe. It has never been alive.jar: no growing
- Write the answer. it does not grow
Check. Also accept: it does not eat; it does not breathe. ✓
Watch out. Give one reason from the signs of life.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks giving light means being alive.Ali: gives light
- Check the sun. The sun does not grow, eat or breathe. It is never alive.sun: never alive
- Write the answer. no
Check. The sun gives light, but it is never alive. ✓
Watch out. Giving light is not a sign of life.
Method. Look at what makes the bike move.
- Look at the bike. The bike moves when a person pedals it.moved by a person
- Check the clues. A bike does not grow, eat or breathe, so it is never alive.no living clues
- Write the answer. no
Check. A bike is never alive, even though it moves. ✓
Watch out. Ask: does it grow, eat or breathe?
Sorting: living, dead or never alive
To classify means to sort things into groups. We use two questions to sort things into living, dead and never alive.
First ask: Is it alive now? If yes, it is living.
If no, ask: Was it ever alive? If yes, it is dead. If no, it is never alive.
| Group | What it means |
|---|---|
| living | alive now |
| dead | was alive, but is not now |
| never alive | has never been alive |
Key ideas
- Living: alive now.
- Dead: was alive, but is not now.
- Never alive: has never been alive.
- Ask two questions before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a worm: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A worm moves, eats and grows.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a fallen leaf: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It grew on a living tree.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Sort each thing into a group.
- Check the worm. A worm is alive now.worm: living
- Check the leaf and the stone. The leaf is dead, and the stone is never alive.leaf: dead; stone: never alive
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Only one of the three is living. ✓
Watch out. Sort each thing before you count.
Watch out
Watch out: a dead thing is not the same as a never-alive thing. A fallen leaf was once alive, but a stone never has been.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, sort five things from home or the garden into three groups: living, dead and never alive. Use only things you can touch safely. Say why each one is in its group. Wash your hands after touching soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the two questions out loud before each choice. Ask: “Which group does it fit best?”
Exercise 2D Sorting into living, dead and never alive
Method. Ask two questions about a bird: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A bird grows, eats and breathes.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a teddy: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A teddy is a toy. It does not grow or eat.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a fallen leaf: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It grew on a living tree.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
| Thing | Group |
|---|---|
| daisy | living |
| dead leaf | dead |
| stone | ? |
| worm | living |
Method. Read the rows that are filled in.
- Read the rows. A daisy and a worm are living. A dead leaf is dead.daisy, worm: living; leaf: dead
- Think about the stone. A stone is rock, and it has never been alive.stone: never alive
- Write the answer. never alive
Check. Only the never-alive group fits a stone. ✓
Watch out. A stone is never alive, not dead.
Method. Compare the numbers. The biggest number is the most.
- Write down each number. Put each number next to its name.living 4, dead 2, never alive 3
- Find the biggest number. 4 is the biggest number.biggest: 4
- Write the answer. living has 4.living
Check. Every other number is smaller than 4. ✓
Watch out. Check every number, not only the first two.
Method. Find each count. Then take the smaller count away from the bigger count.
- Read the count for living. There are 4.living: 4
- Read the count for never alive. There are 3.never alive: 3
- Take the smaller count away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.4 − 3 = 1
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Add the difference back on: 3 + 1 = 4. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Check each one against the groups.
- Check the snail, the ladybird and the daisy. All three are living.living
- Check the cup. A cup has never been alive, so it does not fit.cup: never alive
- Write the answer. cup
Check. Three are living, and one is not. ✓
Watch out. Look for the one that is in a different group.
Method. Think about a daisy.
- Think about the daisy. A daisy is a living plant, not an animal.daisy: plant
- Check the statement. Not all living things are animals, so the statement is false.false
- Write the answer. false
Check. Plants are living things too. ✓
Watch out. Living things are plants and animals.
Method. Read Sam’s idea and check it.
- Read Sam’s idea. Sam thinks a stone was alive and has died.Sam: died
- Check the stone. A stone has never been alive, so it is never alive, not dead.stone: never alive
- Write the answer. no
Check. A stone is never alive. ✓
Watch out. Dead means it was alive once. Not moving does not mean dead.
Method. Ask two questions about rabbit: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A rabbit eats, breathes and grows.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about dried flower: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? It is dry, and it is not growing now.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It was a living flower before it dried up.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.dead
Check. dead is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about cloud: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A cloud does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? A cloud has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Sort each thing into a group.
- Check the tree. A tree is alive, so it is living.tree: living
- Check the fallen leaf. It was alive, and it is not alive now, so it is dead.leaf: dead
- Check the spoon. A spoon has never been alive.spoon: never alive
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Only the fallen leaf is dead. ✓
Watch out. Count only the things in the dead group.
Method. Ask the two questions about the leaf.
- Ask: is it alive now? The leaf is not growing now.alive now: no
- Ask: was it ever alive? It grew on a living tree, so it was alive.ever alive: yes
- Write the answer. no
Check. The leaf belongs in the dead group. ✓
Watch out. Two questions tell us the group.
Method. Read Mia’s idea and check it.
- Read Mia’s idea. Mia thinks a flower stays living when it dries.Mia: still a flower
- Check the flower. A dried flower is not growing or taking in water, so it is dead.dried flower: dead
- Write the answer. no
Check. A dried flower is dead, not living. ✓
Watch out. Being a flower does not mean a thing is still alive.
Checking whether something is living
Scientists check whether something is living. They ask questions, look closely and write down what they see.
Useful questions are: Can it grow? Does it need air or water? Can it move by itself? Can it have babies or seeds?
We can record our answers in a tick table. A tick means yes. A dash means no.
We can also count results in a tally chart, and compare them in a bar chart.
| Thing | Grows? | Moves on its own? | Needs water or air? |
|---|---|---|---|
| bird | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| cloud | – | – | – |
Key ideas
- Ask questions to check if something is living.
- Look closely, and write down what you see.
- A tick means yes. A dash means no.
- Count each thing once when you record it.
| Thing | Grows? | Moves on its own? | Needs water or air? |
|---|---|---|---|
| bird | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| cloud | – | – | – |
Method. Count the ticks for the bird. A tick means yes, and a dash means no.
- Find the ticks. Each tick is one yes. A dash is not counted.✓ ✓ ✓
- Count the ticks. Count each tick once.1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Only the ticks are counted, so the dashes do not change the answer. ✓
Watch out. Count only the ticks, not the dashes.
Key: each picture stands for 1 thing.
Method. Find each count. Then take the smaller count away from the bigger count.
- Read the count for living. There are 5.living: 5
- Read the count for dead. There are 3.dead: 3
- Take the smaller count away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.5 − 3 = 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Add the difference back on: 3 + 2 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Count the living marks in groups of five first. Then count the marks left over.
- Count the full groups of five. Each full group has four upright marks and one line across them.1 group of five = 5 marks
- Count the marks left over. These are not in a full group.3 left over
- Add them together. 5 and 3 make 8.5 + 3 = 8
- Write the answer. 8
Check. Count every mark one at a time, and you also get 8. ✓
Watch out. Count the groups of five first. Then count the single marks that are left over.
Watch out
Watch out: check every question for every thing. Do not guess a tick.
Try it at home (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, make a checklist with three questions: Can it grow? Does it need air or water? Can it move by itself? Check two things in your home, such as a houseplant and a toy. Write a tick or a dash for each question. Wash your hands after touching soil.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Let your child choose the things and the questions. Ask: “Which thing got the most ticks? Why?” Talk about why a toy gets dashes.
Exercise 2E Checking, recording and comparing
Method. Think about which question can show that something is alive.
- Check a. Growing is a sign of life, so it helps us check.a
- Check b. The colour does not tell us if a thing is alive.b
- Write the answer. a
Check. Only question a helps us check if something is living. ✓
Watch out. Ask questions that show signs of life.
Method. Think about how to find the answer.
- Read the question. We want to find out whether a plant needs water.needs water?
- Pick the way. We can test it: give one plant water and not the other, then watch.test
- Write the answer. test
Check. A fair test helps us find the answer. ✓
Watch out. A test is a way to find out what happens.
Method. An observation is something we can see or measure.
- Check a. We cannot see if a snail is happy. That is a guess.a
- Check b. We can see the shell, so it is an observation.b
- Write the answer. b
Check. Only b is something we can see. ✓
Watch out. An observation says what we see, not what we think.
| Thing | Grows? | Moves on its own? | Needs water or air? |
|---|---|---|---|
| rabbit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| daisy | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| stone | – | – | – |
| dried flower | – | – | – |
Method. Count the ticks for the rabbit. A tick means yes, and a dash means no.
- Find the ticks. Each tick is one yes. A dash is not counted.✓ ✓ ✓
- Count the ticks. Count each tick once.1, 2, 3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Only the ticks are counted, so the dashes do not change the answer. ✓
Watch out. Count only the ticks, not the dashes.
| Thing | Grows? | Moves on its own? | Needs water or air? |
|---|---|---|---|
| rabbit | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| daisy | ✓ | – | ✓ |
| stone | – | – | – |
| dried flower | – | – | – |
Method. Count the ticks for the whole table. A tick means yes, and a dash means no.
- Find the ticks. Each tick is one yes. A dash is not counted.✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
- Count the ticks. Count each tick once.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Write the answer. 5
Check. Only the ticks are counted, so the dashes do not change the answer. ✓
Watch out. Count only the ticks, not the dashes.
| Group | Count |
|---|---|
| living | 3 |
| dead | 2 |
| never alive | 4 |
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.living 3, dead 2, never alive 4
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.3 + 2 + 4 = 9
- Write the answer. 9
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 9. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
Method. Count the living marks in groups of five first. Then count the marks left over.
- Count the full groups of five. Each full group has four upright marks and one line across them.1 group of five = 5 marks
- Count the marks left over. These are not in a full group.2 left over
- Add them together. 5 and 2 make 7.5 + 2 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Count every mark one at a time, and you also get 7. ✓
Watch out. Count the groups of five first. Then count the single marks that are left over.
Method. Find each count. Then take the smaller count away from the bigger count.
- Read the count for never alive. There are 5.never alive: 5
- Read the count for dead. There are 3.dead: 3
- Take the smaller count away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.5 − 3 = 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Add the difference back on: 3 + 2 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Key: each picture stands for 1 thing.
Method. Count the living things once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. An idea we can test can be checked by doing something.
- Check a. We can test it by giving plants water, and watching them.a
- Check b. Cars being the best is only an opinion, so we cannot test it.b
- Write the answer. a
Check. Only the first idea can be tested. ✓
Watch out. A good idea can be tested.
Method. Compare the two tests.
- Look at the two tubs. One tub has damp soil and the other has dry soil.damp or dry soil
- Look at the worms and the time. The worms and the time stay the same, so only the soil changes.worms and time: same
- Write the answer. soil
Check. Only the soil is different. ✓
Watch out. Change one thing only, and keep the rest the same.
Method. Read Mia’s idea and check it.
- Read Mia’s idea. Mia thinks slow things are never alive.Mia: slow
- Check the snail. A snail is slow, but it grows and eats, so it is living.snail: living
- Write the answer. no
Check. A snail is living. ✓
Watch out. Being slow does not stop a thing from being alive.
Method. Think about the signs of life.
- Think about the signs of life. Living things grow, need air and water, and can have babies.grow, air, water, babies
- Turn one sign into a question. A question that can be checked: can it grow?Can it grow?
- Write the answer. Can it grow?
Check. Also accept: does it need air or water? Can it have babies? ✓
Watch out. Start with Can or Does, so the question can be checked.
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Living | Alive now. Living things grow, need air and water, and can have babies or seeds. |
| Dead | Was alive once, but is not alive now. Dead things do not grow or need food. |
| Never alive | Has never been alive, such as a stone, a cup or a cloud. Moving does not make a thing living. |
| Two questions | Ask: is it alive now? Was it ever alive? These two answers sort any thing into a group. |
| Check ideas | Ask questions, look closely, and record yes or no with ticks and dashes. |
Can you…?
- I can say what makes something living
- I can name a dead thing, and say that it was once alive
- I can name a thing that has never been alive
- I can sort things into living, dead and never alive
- I can record yes or no with ticks and dashes in a table
- I know that a moving thing can be never alive, like a car
Key terms
- living
- alive now: it grows, and it needs air and water
- dead
- was alive once, but is not alive now
- never alive
- has never been alive
- grow
- to get bigger and change over time
- classify
- to sort things into groups by their clues
- observe
- to look closely and notice details
- tick table
- a table that records yes with a tick and no with a dash
- seed
- the part of a plant that can grow into a new plant
Exercise 2Z Check-up
Method. Ask two questions about a rabbit: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A rabbit grows, eats and breathes.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about the sun: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? The sun does not grow, eat or breathe.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is a star, and it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Ask two questions about a snail: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A snail moves, eats and grows.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Count the ladybirds once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Think about which one grows and needs air and water.
- Check daisy. A daisy grows, and it needs water and air.daisy
- Check cup. A cup does not grow, eat or breathe.cup
- Write the answer. daisy
Check. Only the daisy is living. ✓
Watch out. Look for the signs of life.
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check frog. A frog is alive, and it breathes air.frog
- Check book. A book is never alive, so it does not breathe.book
- Write the answer. frog
Check. Only the frog needs air to stay alive. ✓
Watch out. A book has never been alive.
Method. Think about what living things do.
- Think about living things. Living things grow and change over time.living: grows
- Check the statement. So a living thing can grow.the statement is true
- Write the answer. true
Check. Living things grow. ✓
Watch out. Growing is something living things do.
Method. Check each thing against the groups.
- Check the tulip and the worm. Both are living things.living
- Check the ball. A ball has never been alive.ball: never alive
- Write the answer. ball
Check. Two are living, and one is not. ✓
Watch out. The odd one out is in a different group.
Method. Read Ali’s idea and check it.
- Read Ali’s idea. Ali thinks that moving means living.Ali: moves
- Check the car. A car does not grow, eat or breathe, so it is never alive.car: never alive
- Write the answer. no
Check. A car is never alive, even though it moves. ✓
Watch out. Moving is not the same as being alive.
Method. Sort each thing into a group.
- Check the tulip. A tulip grows and needs water, so it is living.tulip: living
- Check the dried flower. A dried flower is dead, so it is not living.dried flower: dead
- Write the answer. 1
Check. Only the tulip is living. ✓
Watch out. Dead things are not living.
Total 14 marks. Allow about 14 minutes.
Exercise 2X End-of-chapter quiz
Method. Think about which one is alive.
- Check book. A book has never been alive.book
- Check bird. A bird grows, eats and breathes.bird
- Write the answer. bird
Check. Only the bird is living. ✓
Watch out. Look for the signs of life.
Method. Think about which one was alive, and is not alive now.
- Check fallen leaf. It grew on a tree, so it was alive, and it is not alive now.fallen leaf
- Check green leaf. A green leaf on a living tree is alive.green leaf
- Write the answer. fallen leaf
Check. Only the fallen leaf is dead. ✓
Watch out. A dead thing was alive once.
Method. Ask two questions about a cup: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A cup does not grow or eat.alive now: no
- Was it ever alive? It is made by people, so it has never been alive.ever alive: no
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.never alive
Check. never alive is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Count the dead leaves once each. Touch each one as you count it.
- Count them one at a time. Say each number as you touch one.1 2 3 4
- Read the last number. The last number is how many there are.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Count them again from the other end. You get 4 again. ✓
Watch out. Move each one to one side as you count it, so you do not count it twice.
Method. Ask two questions about a daisy: is it alive now, and was it ever alive?
- Is it alive now? A daisy grows and needs water.alive now: yes
- Was it ever alive? It is alive now, so it was alive before too.ever alive: yes
- Choose the group. Living means alive now. Dead means it was alive but is not now. Never alive means it has never been alive.living
Check. living is the only group that fits both answers. ✓
Watch out. Ask both questions, one at a time, before you choose a group.
Method. Think about which one is living.
- Check rock. A rock is never alive, so it cannot grow.rock
- Check sunflower. A sunflower is a living plant, and it grows.sunflower
- Write the answer. sunflower
Check. Only the sunflower can grow. ✓
Watch out. Growing is a sign of life.
| Group | Count |
|---|---|
| living | 3 |
| dead | 2 |
| never alive | 5 |
Method. Find each count, then add them all together.
- Write down each count. Each count is one row.dead 2, never alive 5
- Add the counts together. Add them all, so none is missed.2 + 5 = 7
- Write the answer. 7
Check. Add them again, starting from the last count, and you get 7. ✓
Watch out. Make sure every row is in your total, and no row is counted twice.
| Group | Count |
|---|---|
| living | 3 |
| dead | 2 |
| never alive | 5 |
Method. Find each count. Then take the smaller count away from the bigger count.
- Read the count for never alive. There are 5.never alive: 5
- Read the count for living. There are 3.living: 3
- Take the smaller count away from the bigger one. The difference is how many more.5 − 3 = 2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Add the difference back on: 3 + 2 = 5. ✓
Watch out. Take the smaller number away from the bigger one, not the other way round.
Method. Read Lucy’s idea and check it.
- Read Lucy’s idea. Lucy thinks being small means never alive.Lucy: small
- Check the worm. A worm moves, eats and grows, so it is living.worm: living
- Write the answer. no
Check. A worm is living, even though it is small. ✓
Watch out. Size is not a sign of life.
Method. Think about what living things need.
- Think about living things. Living things need water and air to stay alive.water and air
- Choose one word. Any one of these needs is correct.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Also accept: air. ✓
Watch out. Name a need of living things, not a thing they have.