Living and Non-Living Things

Fully Resourced Lesson: Living and Non-Living Things

This engaging lesson is designed to help students explore the difference between living and non-living things. It begins by prompting students to think about what defines a living organism and what characteristics are used to classify something as non-living.

The lesson then introduces the MRS GREN acronym to help students understand the seven life processes that define living things. A differentiated worksheet follows, allowing all learners to demonstrate their understanding at an appropriate level.

An extension task is included, which encourages students to consider the concept of dormancy and its implications for how we define life.

Next, students explore the idea of what it means to be dead, using a focused worksheet and guided questions to deepen their understanding.

Students then participate in an interactive activity using task cards placed around the room, which they move between and respond to, reinforcing their learning through movement and collaboration.

The lesson concludes with a plenary activity to assess understanding and consolidate key concepts.