Original PromptStudents will develop and apply evidence-based reasoning to classify ambiguous cases as living or non-living by systematically evaluating multiple biological criteria. This lesson strengthens scientific argumentation skills through analyzing edge cases like dormant seeds, fire, crystals, and viruses, requiring learners to recognize that life is defined by the presence of all essential characteristics rather than isolated traits. By the lesson's end, students should construct clear, evidence-supp...
This learning resource explores the characteristics that define living organisms versus non-living objects through a comparative analysis of various cases, including seeds, fire, crystals, and viruses. The content emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling all five criteria of life—organization, growth, reproduction, energy use, and response to the environment. It encourages critical thinking by inviting learners to evaluate examples and engage in discussions about what constitutes life. Activities are included to foster understanding and application of the concepts, such as classifying clouds and assessing the nature of an AI computer program. The resource promotes evidence-based reasoning as a method to support claims about the living or non-living status of studied objects.