Everything around us can broadly be described as living or non-living. Humans, animals and plants are living things, while objects such as rocks, tables and pencils are non-living.

Characteristics of Living Things

Our body has many parts that work together. Some parts can be seen outside the body, while important organs such as the heart, lungs, brain and stomach are inside.

Food contains substances called nutrients. Our body needs different nutrients for energy, growth, repair and healthy functioning.

People obtain food from many sources. Plants provide grains, pulses, fruits, vegetables, oils, nuts and spices. Animal sources can provide foods such as milk, eggs and honey.

Some foods are eaten raw, while others are cooked. Cooking can make many foods safer, softer, easier to digest and more pleasant to eat.

Common Cooking Methods

Why Do We Preserve Food?

Food preservation helps slow spoilage and can allow food to remain usable for longer when suitable methods are followed.

Families can have different structures and sizes. A child may live with parents, one parent, grandparents, guardians, extended relatives, or in another caring family arrangement.

Homes work better when family members cooperate and share appropriate responsibilities.

Homes are designed according to climate, geography, local materials, culture and people’s needs.

A community is a group of people who live, work, learn or interact in a shared area or through shared activities.

What Can a Local Community Include?

An occupation is a type of work that a person does. Communities depend on people with many different skills and occupations.

Public services help communities meet important needs such as safety, transport, sanitation, education and health.

A map is a representation of an area. Maps help us understand where places are located and how places relate to one another.

Simple Map Features

• Title: tells us what the map shows.
• Symbols: represent places or features.
• Key or legend: explains map symbols.
• Directions: help describe location.

Transport has changed greatly over time. People once depended mainly on walking, animals and simple vehicles. Later inventions introduced mechanical and motorised transport.

Communication technology allows information to travel quickly over short and long distances.

Scientists classify animals by comparing their characteristics. At Class 3 level, we can group animals using simple visible features.

A habitat is the natural environment in which an organism lives. A suitable habitat provides conditions and resources needed for survival.

An adaptation is a characteristic that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

A butterfly undergoes a remarkable life cycle called complete metamorphosis. Its body changes greatly between stages.

Different plant parts perform different functions. Roots, stems and leaves work together to help the plant survive and grow.

When conditions are suitable, a seed can begin to grow. The beginning of growth from a seed is called germination.

Conditions Needed for Germination

Seed dispersal is the movement of seeds away from the parent plant. It can reduce competition and help plants spread to new places.

Water continually moves between Earth’s surface and the atmosphere. This movement is called the water cycle.

Fresh water contains much less dissolved salt than seawater. People depend on accessible freshwater sources for drinking, agriculture and many other activities.

Air is a mixture of gases surrounding Earth. Although we normally cannot see air, we can observe its effects.

Soil develops over long periods through interactions among weathered rock, organic matter, water, air and living organisms.

Uses and Importance of Soil

• Supports the growth of many plants.
• Provides habitat for many organisms.
• Stores and filters water.
• Supports agriculture.
• Provides materials used in products and construction.

Some things occur in nature, while others are made or greatly modified by people using natural materials and resources.

Renewable resources can be replenished naturally on human timescales when conditions and use are appropriate.

Waste segregation means separating different types of waste so that they can be handled, recycled, composted or disposed of more safely and effectively.

Plants and animals are important parts of ecosystems. Protecting their habitats helps maintain biodiversity and healthy environments.

Natural hazards include events such as earthquakes, floods, storms, heatwaves and wildfires. The hazards faced by a community depend on its location and environment.

Emergency Preparedness