Engage Your Biology or Life Science Class with an Exciting Exploration of Characteristics of Life, Systems Integration, and Zombies!

Kickstart the school year with an immersive and educational activity that will captivate your middle school science and high school biology students. This Characteristics of Life CER Activity offers a thrilling scenario where students analyze evidence and apply critical thinking skills to determine whether Quinn has become a zombie.

Includes PDF, Google Slides,  and Editable PowerPoint File

Activity Overview:

During a football game, Quinn exhibits some peculiar behaviors, leaving everyone wondering if he’s turned into a zombie. Kids are provided with six intriguing pieces of evidence from their observations. Students will thoroughly evaluate this evidence, comparing it to the characteristics of life, to draw informed conclusions about Quinn’s condition.

Claim-Evidence-Reasoning Format:

This set of worksheets guides students through the process of evaluating evidence and reasoning using the claim-evidence-reasoning (CER) format. It empowers them to think critically and articulate their conclusions effectively.

Characteristics of Life and Systems Integration:

As students delve into the activity, they’ll explore how the characteristics of life are essential for organisms to survive. They’ll discover how these characteristics are exhibited in advanced organisms through organ systems and their integration.

Characteristics of Life CER Activity Includes:

1. Characteristics of Life Notes: Scaffolded and blank notes help students grasp the fundamental concepts effectively.
2. Student Scenario and Instructions: The engaging scenario sets the stage for the investigation, keeping students motivated throughout.
3. Six Pieces of Evidence: The intriguing evidence from Quinn’s behavior challenges students to analyze and draw conclusions.
4. Record Sheet (Task 1): A structured sheet for students to record their observations and analysis.
5. Riley’s CER and Rubric for Evaluation (Task 2): A model CER and rubric to guide students through the evaluation process.
6. Two Versions of Blank CER (with and without hints) and Rubric (Task 3): Students get the opportunity to create their own claim and practice their reasoning skills.