Characteristics of Life Lab – Fun Inquiry Lab for Characteristics of Life

This characteristics of life lab gives students a hands-on, inquiry-based way to investigate what makes something living.

First students will complete a background reading and pre-lab questions to learn about the characteristics of life and what qualifies an object to be living, nonliving, dead, or have the potential for life. Students will then follow the procedures to complete a data table as they examine 8 tangible everyday objects of your choice or use 8 of the 24 editable printable specimen pictures provided.

Template slides and a Google Slides version is included! A lesson plan is also provided and includes suggestions, standards, set-up guide, and NGSS standards, and more. This is a fun and engaging inquiry lab and is best used before teaching the characteristics of life. No prior knowledge is needed!

Characteristics of Life Lab Overview

• Students will read background information and answer pre-lab questions
• Students follow a procedure to examine 8 objects of your choice (feathers, fossils, a fruit, cork, etc.) A comprehensive life of suggested objects are included. Students will determine if each object has each characteristic of life and if they are living, nonliving, dead, or have the potential for life. If you do not wish to use tangible objects, a set of 24 intriguing pictures of objects are included that you can edit. A template slide is also included.
• Students will complete analysis questions including a scaffolded CER activity.

Characteristics of Life Lab Includes

• Print and Google Slides versions
• 24 printable specimen cards
• Editable specimen templates
• Background reading and pre-lab questions
• Data table and post-lab analysis questions
• CER activity
• Teacher guide with setup suggestions, specimen ideas, lesson timing, and NGSS alignment

Check out my blog for great ideas for teaching characteristics of life!

PURCHASE ON TPT

MORE GREAT CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE ACTIVITIES