Living Things Notes, Quizzes & Revision
π Revision Notes β’ π Quizzes β’ π Past Papers available in app
Subject: subject_replace
Topic: topic_name_replace β Subtopic: Living Things
Target age: age_replace | Curriculum: Kenyan Primary
What are living things?
Living things are organisms that grow, move in some way, need food and water, respond to changes around them, and reproduce. Examples you see in Kenya include crops (maize, tea), trees (acacia, mango), farm animals (cows, goats, chickens), wild animals (zebra, giraffe), birds (weaver, lilacβbreasted roller) and insects (butterflies, bees).
Plants: π±π³ Mango tree, maize, banana
Animals: πππ¦π¦ Chicken, cow, zebra, bird
Insects: ππ¦ Bee, butterfly
Animals: πππ¦π¦ Chicken, cow, zebra, bird
Insects: ππ¦ Bee, butterfly
Key characteristics of living things (easy words)
- Grow: change size or form (a seed becomes a plant).
- Need food and water: to have energy and stay alive.
- Move or show action: animals move; plants may turn leaves towards light.
- Breathe / respire: use air or gases to get energy (plants and animals both respire).
- Respond to surroundings: react to light, touch, sound.
- Reproduce: make young ones (seeds, eggs, births).
- Excrete: remove waste (like droppings or dead leaves).
What living things need
All living things need some or all of these: food, water, air, light or warmth, and shelter/habitat.
Food π β plants use light; animals eat plants or other animals.
Water π§ β for growth and life processes.
Air / Oxygen π¬οΈ β breathing or gas exchange.
Shelter π β place to live and keep safe.
Examples of habitats in Kenya
- Savanna / grasslands: zebras, giraffes, acacia trees.
- Farms: maize, cows, goats, poultry.
- Forests: camphor, indigenous trees, many birds and insects.
- Freshwater ponds and rivers: fish, frogs, water plants.
- Urban homes and markets: people, pet animals, potted plants.
Life cycles (simple drawings)
Plant (maize/bean): Seed β Seedling β Young plant β Flowering & seed production
Frog: Egg β Tadpole (in water) β Young frog β Adult frog
Chicken: Egg π₯ β Chick π₯ β Adult chicken π
Frog: Egg β Tadpole (in water) β Young frog β Adult frog
Chicken: Egg π₯ β Chick π₯ β Adult chicken π
Tip: Observe a germinating seed in class β place a wet cotton wool and a seed in a clear plastic cup and watch roots and shoots form.
How we can care for living things (home & school)
- Water plants regularly and protect them from pests.
- Provide clean water and good food for animals.
- Keep the environment clean β dispose of waste safely.
- Plant trees and protect natural habitats.
- Observe and record changes β keep a simple diary or drawing.
Classroom activities (quick ideas)
- Sort pictures or objects into LIVING / NONβLIVING groups.
- Plant seeds in small pots and measure growth weekly.
- Go on a short nature walk and list living things seen.
- Draw a local animal and label its needs (food, water, shelter).
Key vocabulary
living, nonβliving, grow, reproduce, habitat, food, water, breathe, seed, germination, life cycle
Quick review questions
- Give three examples of living things you see in your home or village.
- Name two things all living things need.
- What is the first stage of a plant life cycle?
- How can you tell if something is not living?
- Why should we protect the habitats of wild animals?
Answers (click to reveal)
1) Any three local examples (e.g., maize, cow, chicken).
2) Examples: food and water (also air, shelter, warmth).
3) Seed.
4) It does not grow, breathe, move, or reproduce (e.g., a stone).
5) To keep animals safe, allow them food & water, and keep ecosystems healthy.
2) Examples: food and water (also air, shelter, warmth).
3) Seed.
4) It does not grow, breathe, move, or reproduce (e.g., a stone).
5) To keep animals safe, allow them food & water, and keep ecosystems healthy.