One possible group activity for 7th graders to classify if an item is living based on various characteristics could be a “Living or Non-Living” sorting game. Here’s how it could be organized:

Materials needed: - A set of picture cards or objects representing various items (e.g., plant, animal, rock, toy car, book, pencil, etc.) - Large posters or charts labeled with the characteristics: organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, and use of energy.

Instructions: 1. Divide the students into small groups of 3-4. 2. Distribute the picture cards or objects among the groups. 3. Explain to the students that their task is to classify each item as living or non-living based on the given characteristics. 4. Provide each group with the large posters or charts labeled with the characteristics. 5. Instruct the students to discuss and analyze each item in their group, considering the characteristics of living things. 6. Once they have made a decision, they should place the item on the appropriate poster/chart. 7. After all the groups have finished, have a class discussion to compare and discuss the classifications made by each group. 8. Encourage students to explain their reasoning behind their classifications and engage in a debate if there are differing opinions. 9. As a wrap-up, summarize the main characteristics of living things and emphasize the importance of considering multiple criteria when classifying items.

Examples of items and their classifications: 1. Plant - Living (organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy) 2. Animal - Living (organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy) 3. Rock - Non-living (lacks organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy) 4. Toy car - Non-living (lacks organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy) 5. Book - Non-living (lacks organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy) 6. Pencil - Non-living (lacks organization, growth and development, reproduction, response to stimuli, homeostasis, use of energy)

Note: Depending on the level of difficulty desired, you can include more complex examples that may require deeper analysis and discussion.