Lesson 10: Cells are Living Too!

Grade Level: K-6
Suggested Time: 120 mins
Overview
Students will explore the parts of the cell and make a cell model.
Vocabulary
Objectives
Required Project Materials
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Cells Alive!
  1. Show “Cells Cells” rap. Do the rap with the students. Discuss the basic differences between plant and animal cells. Discuss single-celled and multicellular organisms.
  2. Begin a vocabulary list and go through each vocabulary term throughout the class activities.
  3. Students will explore the Cells Alive website: looking at the cell models http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/3dcell.htm. Encourage the students to interact with the models.
  4. Students will complete the Animal Cell Worksheet as they are researching the Animal Cell http://www.cellsalive.com/worksheets/AnimalCellModel.pdf.
  5. Have cells look at a green leaf under a microscope. Can they find the cells? How are these cells different?
  6. Have the students look for organisms in soil or other materials using the microscope(optional).
  7. Have students complete puzzles to become more familiar with cells.
  8. Watch “Eukaryopolis” and/or “Tour of the Cell” (optional).
Part 2: Cell Models
  1. Show “Once Upon a Time: Life — the Cell.”
  2. Work with the students on cell puzzles completed during class, as needed. Allow the class to play with these materials until they are familiar with cell structure.
  3. Discuss the use of models in science. One purpose of models is to show and describe the function, appearance, and behaviors of microscopic particles.
  4. Students will build their own animal cell models – have students use the Google Image search of “Cell Model Diagrams” as a reference.
  5. Build a cell!
    6. Have students write a description identifying the type of cell and describing what the cell does.
Accommodations
Modifications