DATE: NAME: CLASS:

TOPIC 1 BLM 2-1

SKILL BUILDER Is a Candle Alive?
Goal Use the characteristics of living things to compare a person with a candle.

Think About It problem you must work through to

Consider the characteristics of complete the Venn diagram below.
living things. We certainly know that What is a Venn diagram? A Venn
these characteristics apply to people diagram is a way to organize
people are alive. Can you apply these information. This format allows
characteristics to a candle? scientists to compare and
For example, does a
candle grow? contrast two different
Does a candle
produce things quickly. See
wastes? Is What To Do
a candle question 2 to
alive? This learn how to
is the complete your
Venn diagram.

What to Do Analyze
1. Use the characteristics of living things On a separate sheet of paper, answer the
from your notes and your class questions below in full sentences.
discussions as a reference for this activity.
1. Look at the overlapping region of your
2. Characteristics that are exclusive to finished Venn diagram. Are there any
humans should be written in the characteristics in this region? For
human circle of the Venn diagram. example, perhaps you wrote growth in
Characteristics that are exclusive to the the overlapping region. You know that
candle should be written in the candle humans grow. Your task is to explain how
circle. Characteristics that apply to both you think a candle can grow. Give an
humans and candles should be written in explanation for each characteristic you
the overlapping region of both circles. wrote in the overlapping region.

2. Write yes or no to answer the

question Is a candle alive? Write a

Copyright 2001, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, a Subsidiary of the McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in his/her classroom only. McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Limited shall not be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
concluding statement to explain your
answer to this question.

Copyright 2001, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, a Subsidiary of the McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in his/her classroom only. McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Limited shall not be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.
KEY

BLM 2-1, Is a Candle Alive?/Skill Builder

Goal: Students complete a Venn diagram to compare

a candle with a human in relation to the characteristics of living things.

Answers:
Students diagrams will vary. However, students must be able to justify the placement of characteristics within their
diagrams.

Analyze
1. Be open to a variety of student responses, as long as students can support their assertions with reasonable
explanations. For instance, a candle cannot reproduce itself. However, the flame that comes from a lit candle can
reproduce if a piece of paper or another candle is held to the flame. There is no need to emphasize whether
students answers are right or wrong. Rather, engage them in discussion to make it clear that there may be more than
one viewpoint.
2. No, a candle is not alive, although it may be possible to apply many of the characteristics of living things to candles.
The main reason candles are not alive is that they are not made of cells.

Copyright 2001, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, a Subsidiary of the McGraw-Hill Companies. All rights reserved.
Permission to edit and reproduce this page is granted to the purchaser for use in his/her classroom only. McGraw-Hill
Ryerson Limited shall not be held responsible for content if any revisions, additions, or deletions are made to this page.