1. Let me know when your group thinks you have it.
Topic 1
LT- Today, I can determine if a thing is living or nonliving by drawing evidence from a story and using my prior knowledge from science of the characteristics of living things.
What are the characteristics of living things?
How do I determine if something is living?
Do Now- What are the levels of organization of living things from smallest to largest?
(use the diagrams at the table to help you if you need)
Let me know when your group thinks you have it.

2. Organ ex) heart, lungs, liver
Levels of Organization of Living Things (from smallest to largest)
Organelles
Cell
Tissue
Organ ex) heart, lungs, liver
Organ System ex) respiratory and digestive system
Organism

3. Individual Work: Part 1: Listen and take notes on scrap paper
Individual Work: Part 1: Listen and take notes on scrap paper. Keep in mind: we are trying to determine if what the thing the Martian sees is living Part 2: Make a sketch on the loose-leaf provided of what you think these “things” look like (this will be handed in to me).

4. Group Work: Part 3: Is the thing the Martian discovered living or non-living? On paper (this will be handed in to me): a. What are the characteristics of living things? There are 8 characteristics. Identify all 8 with your group. Discuss these and make a list as a group (you learned these in 7th grade). Let me know when your group thinks you have it. Come to a conclusion as a class. Fill in the characteristics that your group did not get.

5. What are the characteristics of living things
What are the characteristics of living things? There are some very general rules to follow when trying to decide if something is living, dead, or non-living. If something follows one or just a few of the rules listed above, it does not necessarily mean that it is living. To be considered alive, an object must exhibit all of the characteristics of living things. Living things must: Move Exchange gases with the environment (respiration) Grow and develop Reproduce Excrete waste Take in nutrients and use as energy Respond to stimuli Must be made up of one or more cells

6. Group Work: Part 3: b. Organizer example: Use your notes and make a list: What are the characteristics of a living thing that the “thing” exhibits (has)? What is the proof from the story?
In the story the alien states, “the were giving off a poisonous waste as they moved.
Ex) Excretes waste

7. Part 4:
As a group (no more than 3 per argument): present an argument proving your claim (living, non-living, or undecided). You will need a visual to present your argument (it can be written, a diagram, a table, etc.). (this will be handed in to me)
Use at least 3 pieces of evidence from the story to support your claim.
You will have to present your claim to the class and try to convince us.
Classwork:
Part 5:
Determine if the groups have made a convincing argument.
Go over the characteristics of living things. Put them in your notebooks.

8. Sample Responses: Clami
When the Martian visited planet Earth he observed “things” that he thought to be living. However, upon review of the evidence that the Martian presented it is clear that these “things” that the Martian observed are in fact non- living.
When the Martian visited planet Earth he observed “things” that he thought to be living. Upon review of the evidence that the Martian presented it is clear that these “things” that the Martian observed are in fact living.

9. Scientifically valid Evidence:
Living things take in nutrients and the Martian stated that he observed these things stopping to feed on a liquid substance at specific locations. However, there are examples of non-living things that can appear to be taking in nutrients, such as a car stopping to fill up on gas.
Also, the Martian stated these “things” were giving off a poisonous waste as they moved. While living things excrete waste and exchange gases with the environment. There are also examples of non-living things that do this, such as a car releasing fumes from its exhaust.
Finally, the Martian also stated that these things appear to have a great deal of energy. Again, a car driving on a road also has a great deal of energy.
Living things take in nutrients and the Martian stated that he observed these “things” stopping to feed on a liquid substance at specific locations. This proves that these “things” take in necessary nutrients.
Also, living things exchange gases with the environment. The Martian stated that the “things” were giving off a poisonous waste as they moved. This would be an example of theses “things” releasing the waste carbon dioxide that plant and animals release.
Finally, the Martian also observed that these things have a great deal of energy and all living things need energy to survive and do work.

10. Counter Argument:
Some may say that these “things“ are living because they appear to exhibit some of the characteristics of living things such as taking in nutrients, excreting wastes, and using energy. While it is true that there are characteristics of living things that non-living things exhibit, unless a thing exhibits all eight characteristics of life, they are not living. The Martian did not observe all eight characteristics, therefore these “things” are not living.
Some may say that these “things” are non-living because they to not exhibit all of the characteristics of living things. However, they clearly take in nutrients, excrete wastes, and use energy. The Martian just did not collect the needed information to prove all eight characteristics, but this does not negate the fact that they have the qualities of life and are in fact alive.

11. Closing Statement:
In order to be living, a thing must exhibit all eight characteristics of living things. While we clearly see that the “things” appear to exhibit at least three, this is not enough. A car is not living and it has the three mentioned characteristics. Without the other five, what we have before us is not life.
Taking in nutrients, excreting wastes, and using energy are all characteristics of live. If these things were non-living this evidence would not exist. With these clear examples, what we have before us is life.

12. What if the Martian saw this?
Or this?