Living and Non-Living Things

Everyday we see living things just like ourselves. We must remember we are always surrounded by non-living things also. All animals and plants are living things. Some examples include a dog eating a bone is a living thing. A bird flying from house to house is also a living thing. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference between living and non-living. Plants are living things but don't move or fly. Today we are going to learn about the seven characteristics of living things and how they vary from non-living things. Some non-living things show a couple of those characteristics, but not in the same form. For example a car can move when you feed it with fuel, or a dishwasher can run when you put detergent inside of it. 

Seven Characteristics of Living Things

1. Movement
2. Respiration 
3. Sensitivity
4. Growth 
5. Reproduction 
6. Excretion 
7. Nutrition

The image below is a great memory tool to help you remember the seven characteristics!