No Prep Plans: Characteristics of Living Things (Classification Guide)

No Prep Plans: Characteristics of Living Things
Research + Group Project (Classification Guide)
Year 7 Biology | Aligns with Cambridge Lower Secondary Science

Bring biology to life with this engaging, inquiry-based classification project focused on the characteristics of living things! Students investigate real and pictured samples, apply the seven life processes (MRS GREN), and work collaboratively to determine whether items are living, non-living, or once alive.

This hands-on science activity encourages critical thinking, scientific reasoning, observation skills, and evidence-based classification while making abstract biology concepts visual and interactive.

Students Will:
• Learn and apply the seven life processes (MRS GREN)
• Investigate living, non-living, and once-living samples
• Practice scientific classification skills
• Use evidence to justify scientific reasoning
• Explore tricky biology cases like seeds, fungi, and flames
• Collaborate to create a classification guide or investigation display

What’s Included:
• Teacher direction page with lesson flow and discussion ideas
• Student planning and classification worksheet
• Living vs Non-Living investigation activity
• Color and black-and-white versions
• Online research resource suggestions

Concepts & Skills Covered:
• MRS GREN life processes
• Characteristics of living things
• Living vs non-living classification
• Once-living materials
• Observation and evidence gathering
• Scientific reasoning and justification
• Classification systems
• Biology vocabulary and discussion skills

Perfect For:
• Year 7 Biology/US Grade 6
• Cambridge-aligned science classrooms
• Inquiry-based science learning
• STEM and collaborative projects
• Middle school biology units
• Classification and observation lessons
• Sub plans with meaningful academic engagement

Students Investigate:
• Is a flame alive?
• Are viruses living things?
• Can seeds be considered alive?
• Why fungi can be difficult to classify
• How scientists use evidence to classify organisms

Why Teachers Love This Resource:
• Makes biology concepts highly visual and interactive
• Encourages scientific debate and evidence-based thinking
• Includes engaging “mystery box” classification activities
• Flexible for posters, notebooks, stations, or presentations
• Supports inquiry and collaboration in science classrooms
• Includes both color and printer-friendly black-and-white versions
• Helps students master MRS GREN in a memorable way
• Excellent for hands-on middle school biology instruction

⚠️ Disclaimer:
This resource is an independent educational product created by GR Creative Creations. It is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or officially connected to Cambridge University Press & Assessment or Cambridge Assessment International Education.

References to “Cambridge Lower Secondary Science” are used strictly for curriculum-alignment purposes only. This resource was designed to support commonly taught learning objectives and scientific skills associated with Cambridge Lower Secondary Science frameworks, but it is NOT an official Cambridge curriculum publication, assessment, or approved instructional material.