Cell Model

This link provides a lesson plan for building a model of a cell.  It also provides teacher background knowledge and forms for the students to use while they build their model.  An assessment piece is also included.  The lesson plan can be easily adapted for use with fifth grade or seventh grade. This resource address the GLE's by focusing on the cell organelles in both plant and animal cells.  In addition to the lesson plan that is provided, there are links to animated cells and other material for enrichment.

Weblink address (URL): 
Cell Model

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 
  • To review and compare plant and animal cells, and then build a model of an animal cell.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 
  • Follow this lesson with the second lesson in the cells series: Cells 2: The Cell as a System.
  • The Science NetLinks lesson Mitosis introduces cell division. In this lesson, students create a physical representation of mitosis on posterboard, and then write and perform a skit to show the process of mitosis.
  • The following activities from the Access Excellence website can be used to extend this lesson:
    • The Cell can be used to reinforce or reteach the concepts covered in this lesson. In this activity, student groups investigate individual cell structures for both plant and animal cells. Each group is responsible for creating a model of a specific structure that will be used to create class models of plant and animal cells.
    • Cell Project is a cooperative learning activity in which students also construct a giant cell model.
    • Cell Observation is a guided lab for students to examine cells under a microscope.
    • Cell Organelles can be used as an alternate assessment. It requires students to collect electron micrographs of cells.

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • 2 Ziploc® baggies per student pair to represent the cell membrane
  • A variety of materials to represent cell parts, such as buttons, pasta of different colors, pipe cleaners, and beads
  • 1 cup of Karo syrup for each student pair (or something similar, like oil or clear detergent)

References

Contributors: 
Jennifer Hassell
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation