About this worksheet
Kindergartners often decide that anything that moves is alive, which makes a clock, rolling ball, or moving toy confusing. Scientists use a group of clues instead. Living things grow and need resources such as food, water, and air. Nonliving objects may move when something pushes them, but they do not eat, breathe, or grow on their own. This worksheet pairs clear diagrams with short evidence statements so children classify plants, animals, and familiar objects for a reason rather than by appearance alone. Support pages use very familiar examples. Standard and challenge pages include objects that can move or were made from once-living materials, while still asking whether the pictured thing is living now. Listen for the because in your child’s explanation. Saying ‘the bird is living because it needs food’ shows stronger understanding than simply memorising a label. If an answer is uncertain, test each clue one at a time instead of asking whether the object looks alive.
What your child will learn
- Sort examples as living or not living
- Use growth as evidence
- Connect living things with basic needs
- Avoid using movement as the only clue
Worked example
A plant grows and needs water, so it is living. A clock can move, but it does not grow or need food, so it is not living.
Common mistake
Calling every moving object living, even when another force or a battery makes it move.
Helpful hint
Ask whether it grows and needs food, water, or air.