My Needs Class 1 EVS - Food Air and Water the Basic Needs

Nature provides us with the basic needs required to survive on Earth. Living things cannot survive without food, air and water.
The following concept introduces the learners to the dependence of living organisms on food, air and water.

After reading the concept, students will be able to :

• Answer why do we need food.
• State the importance of food for growth and development.
• Explain the meaning of raw food.
• Give examples for herbivores, carnivores and omnivores.
• Differentiate between Healthy and junk food.
• Describe sources and uses of water.

Each concept is explained to class 1 students using examples, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.
Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Food, Air and water the Basic Needs provided in PDF format.

Food, air and water are three essential things required by humans, animals, and plants to live and grow.

Why Do We Need Food?

• Food helps us grow and fight against diseases.
• We eat different types of foods in a day.
• Food gives us the energy to run, walk, play and do many more activities.

Herbivores Carnivores and Omnivores:

• All living things like humans, animals, birds, insects, and plants depend on food for growth and development.
• Plants prepare their own food by photosynthesis.
• Based on eating habits, animals can be of three types—herbivores/plant-eaters, carnivores/flesh-eaters, and omnivores.

• Plant-eating animals or herbivores depend on green leaves, grasses, herbs, and shrubs for food.
• Cows, sheep, goats, deer, etc.
• Flesh-eating animals or carnivores eat the flesh of other animals.
  Examples: Tigers, leopards, lions, crocodiles, etc.
• Omnivores eat both plants and animals.
• Insects eat leaves, flowers, and seeds.
• Birds eat insects and fruits.

 

Different Meals We Eat in a Day:

• Breakfast: We eat breakfast in the morning. One usually has breakfast cereals with milk, chapati-sabzi, paratha, etc.
• Lunch: We eat lunch in the afternoon. During lunch, one has rice, chapati, dal, vegetable curry, fish, meat, eggs, curd, etc.
• Dinner: We have dinner at night with rice or chapati, vegetable curry, dal, chicken, etc.

 

Cooked and Raw Food:

• Some foods like fruits, seeds, and a few vegetables can be eaten raw.
  Examples:  Mangoes, apples, grapes, walnuts, cashew nuts onions, carrots, etc.
• Some food items are prepared by cooking.
• Cooking involves different methods like frying, baking, steaming, etc
• It makes the food tasty and kills any food-related germs.
  Examples:  Chicken curry, vegetable curry, sambhar, roti, etc.

 

Healthy Food and Junk Food:

• Some food items are good for our bodies.
• They help us grow, give us the energy to work and make us strong.
• These are called healthy foods.

• However, some food items are not good for our bodies if eaten frequently.
• Eating too much of such foods can make us sick.
• These foods are called junk food.

 

Healthy Eating Habits:

• Wash your hands properly with soap before and after eating food.
• Chew your food properly.
• Try to eat all types of foods like cereals, pulses, fish/meat, and vegetables in a day.
• Eat green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid junk food.
• Do not drink water while eating food.
• Do not eat food items that are rich in sugar and salts.

 

Air:

• Air is essential for all living beings.
• We cannot touch and see air, but we can feel it.
• Moving air is called wind.
• A gentle wind is called a breeze.
• A strong wind along with thunder and lightning is called a storm.

 

Properties of Air:

• We cannot see air, but we can feel it.
• It is made up of gases.
• Air has no shape and colour.
• Air fills space.
• Air has weight.

 

Uses of Air:

• Living beings need air to breathe as air contains oxygen. Plants need air because it contains carbon dioxide that is required for photosynthesis.
• We wash clothes and dry them in the air.
• Air is necessary for burning. In the absence of air, we cannot light a candle.
• Air helps to move sailboats in the sea.

 

Water:

• Water is necessary for plants, humans, and animals to live.
• ur Earth is mainly covered with water and is called the Blue Planet.

 

Sources of Water:

 

a)Lakes and Rivers:

• Lakes are water bodies that are surrounded by land on all sides.
• Rivers are flowing waterbodies that usually originate from mountains.

 

b) Rain:

• Rain is nothing but the water falling from the clouds.
• It is important because it supplies water to the Earth and fills the water bodies.
• It also helps the farmers carry out farming activities.
• Too much rain can cause floods.

 

c) Wells:

• A well is made after digging the soil.
• Water remains stored beneath the ground, and when the soil is dug up, the water can be used for many activities.
• One has to use ropes and buckets to collect the water from wells.

 

Uses of Water:

• Water helps us in different bodily functions, and so one should need to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Water is also required for the following tasks—

• Plants, too, need water for growth. Without water, plants become dry up and die. That is why we need to water plants.
• Animals also need water for drinking and bathing.

 

New Words:

Did You Know?

• Milk is good for our bones and teeth.
• Drinking impure water can cause tummy aches.
• Heavy storms can destroy houses and uproot trees.