Review of lessons 1 - 5

This chapter is for our review. We have learned quite a bit in the past 5 chapters that we will do some review before moving on.

First, we start with some objective questions.
Parents are encouraged to encourage parallel, albeit correct, answers from children, where appropriate.

1. ____________ is the study of living things.

2. Plants are non-living things. Say whether the statement is True or False.

3. Animals use their _________, ___________, or __________ to move.

4. ___________ can fly with their wings.

5. Plants can make their own _________.

6. Animals depend on ____________ for their food.

7. Given below are some activities that are seen in nature. See if they are true of all living things:
a. walking
b. breathing
c. speaking
d. eating
e. producing young ones - reproduction
f. seeing and hearing
g. growing

8. Name the young ones of these animals (Parents should help in this exercise):
1. Horse
2. Cow
3. Goat
4. Cat
5. Dog
6. Hen
7. Lion
8. Whale
9. Frog
10. Pig

9. Animals that eat only plants are called ________________.

10. Animals that eat only meat are called ________________.

Second, we will discuss a bit of what has been taught.
This is subjective and can have many correct answers. Parents are asked to encourage their child(ren) in coming up with different explanations.

1. Why are plants mostly green? Why is that the green color in big trees is limited to the leaves? Can there be plants with colored leaves?

2. See how you and your parents are alike. Also notice how alike you are to your neighbors and class mates. We all belong to a group called humans. Are humans plants? Or are they animals? Reason it out.

3. We learned about herbivores and carnivores. They are called 'consumers' because they consume what the plants produce. Answer the following questions:(Parents - please use references in your hands to answer this question. Also help your children appreciate that there are different food preferences amongst animals)
a. Are herbivores and carnivores the only kind of consumers?
b. What about animals that eat both plants and meat? What are they called?

4. Can you name at least 5 different animals that can eat both meat and plants?

4b. For bonus points: use your books / internet to find the name of animals that eat only snakes. (only for grade III and above - to increase vocabulary).

5. Name any 5 animals that live under water.

Third, we will write an essay:

Describe in detail the life-cycle of a plant. Draw each stage in the life cycle of the plant and describe the characters of each stage. Also, write down why you think each stage is important.

Activities for the review:
(Parents: These activities are not just for the kid to have fun. These are important for future lessons. The kids will learn to appreciate the nuances better with these activities).

1. Go out into the garden and see the many colored plants. Note how most plants are green, but there are also red and other multi-colored plants. Collect fallen leaves from plants and match each leaf with its plant. Also observe and learn how leaves (and their plants) differ in their shape, size and color. Make a small journal with 10 different leaves.

2. Visit the local zoo on a sunny warm day, and note down 10 different animals. Learn their names. Learn what they eat, how they look. Make a small journal with these details.

3. You have all learned the "life-cycle of a plant". Let us try it in our home.

A . Grow some mustard in a plastic bowl. Collect some garden soil in a plastic bowl. After sprinkling some water on the soil, throw some mustard seeds in the soil. Watch for the next 1 week as the seeds grow into plants. Can you identify different stages of the plant's life cycle with mustard?

B. Now try the same with some coriander seeds. Now, can you see the differences between mustard and coriander? What differences can you observe? Note them down. See how each plant is different.

C. Finally, try growing both these plants in sunlight, and in dark places. Do you see any differences? See how despite their differences, both plants need sunlight to grow. What does this tell about plant's eating requirements.

Hope you all have fun. Till the next time,
Cheers,