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
- Organism
- Single-celled organism
- Multicellular organism
- Cell
- Eukaryotic (animal cell)
- Organelle
- Mitochondria
- Ribosomes
- Cytoplasm
- Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Golgi Apparatus
- Lysosomes
- DNA
- Centrosomes
- Nucleus
Objectives
- Students will learn about cells and cell parts.
- Students will learn about the functions of cell parts.
- Students will create their own cell model.
- Students will investigate living cells online.
Required Project Materials
- Microscope
- Leaves or other live organic material
- Soil or other substances containing organic material
- Computers or iPads with Internet
- Cell Model Worksheet http://www.cellsalive.com/worksheets/AnimalCellModel.pdf
- Cell Model Diagram (try a Google image search)
- Pipe cleaners
- Construction paper
- Recyclable packing peanuts
- Fuzzy mini balls
- Yarn
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
The Lesson
Part 1: Cells Alive!
- 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.
- Begin a vocabulary list and go through each vocabulary term throughout the class activities.
- 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.
- Students will complete the Animal Cell Worksheet as they are researching the Animal Cell http://www.cellsalive.com/worksheets/AnimalCellModel.pdf.
- Have cells look at a green leaf under a microscope. Can they find the cells? How are these cells different?
- Have the students look for organisms in soil or other materials using the microscope(optional).
- Have students complete puzzles to become more familiar with cells.
- Watch “Eukaryopolis” and/or “Tour of the Cell” (optional).
Part 2: Cell Models
- Show “Once Upon a Time: Life — the Cell.”
- 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.
- Discuss the use of models in science. One purpose of models is to show and describe the function, appearance, and behaviors of microscopic particles.
- Students will build their own animal cell models – have students use the Google Image search of “Cell Model Diagrams” as a reference.
- Build a cell!
- Construction paper back ground cut into a rough circle
- Packing peanuts for mitochondria
- Pipe cleaners bent into nucleus and mitochondria shapes
- Fuzzy balls for vacuoles or lysosomes
- Bits of pipe cleaners for DNA and centrosomes
6. Have students write a description identifying the type of cell and describing what the cell does.
Accommodations
- Print out the lyrics to the cells rap.
- Provide visuals of the vocabulary words.
- Have a positive role model sit next to the student to provide extra help if needed to navigate the Cells Alive website.
- Be aware of what type of puzzles you choose for the Cells. Stay away from crossword or word searches.
Modifications
- Choose a small, specific amount parts of the cell that the student(s) will work on.
- Allow the student to rework incorrect answers to get a better grade.