Plant cells
I can describe the function of a plant cell as a whole and how the parts of cell
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General
In this lesson, your students will review what they know about cells. They will read about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells as well as the plant cell’s structure and its organelles. The class will label a plant cell and finish the lesson with a fun spin-the-wheel activity, explaining the job of each organelle.
Standards
MS-LS1-1; MS-LS1-2
Learning Objective
Students will be able to describe the function of a plant cell as a whole and how the parts of cells contribute to its function.
Introduction
Introduce this lesson with an attention-grabbing image of a student standing in a dense jungle asking “Are plants alive? How do you know this?” Relate this to the lesson with a class discussion regarding the characteristics of living things. The class will review the concept that “all organisms are made up of cells” and will be introduced to prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Next, the class will watch a short video clip of prokaryotic cells through a microscope and describe what they see. Students will learn that all other living things are made up of eukaryotic cells.
Instruction
Explain that the plant cell has many different parts. Each part has a specialized function. These parts are called organelles. Introduce the plant cell wall and membrane. Follow with a class discussion: “What do you think would happen to a plant cell if it lost its cell wall?” and “Imagine if your body could produce its own food as a plant can do. Describe what it would be like to be able to make your own food by sitting in the sun? What are some of the pros and cons?” Introduce/Discuss cytoplasm, nucleus, plastids, central vacuole, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, & mitochondria. Next, the class will label a plant cell.
Quiz
Students respond to ten multiple-choice and true/false questions.
Closing
Close the lesson with a Spin The Wheel Activity - pretend you are an organelle in a plant cell. Explain your job.
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Gynzy is an online teaching platform for interactive whiteboards and displays in schools.
With a focus on elementary education, Gynzy’s Whiteboard, digital tools, and activities make it easy for teachers to save time building lessons, increase student engagement, and make classroom management more efficient.