Characteristics of Living Things - MRS GREN, Course Info and Effective Learning Strategies

✓ Engaging presentation
✓ Covers key course information
✓ Exam question example
✓ Explores science-backed revision techniques

This lesson on Characteristics of Living Things is designed for KS4 Science students enrolled in the CIE Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026-28) course. This is the first lesson in the topic 1 Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms.

The lesson kicks off with an informative introduction to the course, where students will learn about exam information, grade boundaries, and the syllabus to get a comprehensive overview of what to expect. We dive deep into the science of learning, sharing evidence-based strategies for active memory retention and effective revision. Covering the seven life processes, exam insights, and powerful science-backed revision techniques. Students will explore real exam questions, and discover active remembering strategies tied to the lesson content.

In addition to the lesson content, this resource includes a valuable “Really Useful Class Book Page Insert” designed to support student progress and streamline teacher-student communication. With designated spaces for students to track report data, test grades, and exam information, it facilitates effective target setting and progress tracking. Furthermore, a dedicated section provides essential command words and explanations for easy reference, empowering students to tackle exam questions confidently throughout the course.

Objectives:
Describe the characteristics of living organisms by describing:
(a) movement as an action by an organism or part of an organism causing a change of position or place
(b) respiration as the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules and release energy for metabolism
© sensitivity as the ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment
(d) growth as a permanent increase in size and dry mass
(e) reproduction as the processes that make more of the same kind of organism
(f) excretion as the removal of the waste products of metabolism and substances in excess of requirements
(g) nutrition as the taking in of materials for energy, growth and development

This lesson would also be adaptable for all GCSE students (whether AQA, Edexcel, OCR) and great for KS3 Science or as a GCSE revision resource.