• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Match cell parts to the jobs they do). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which part of a cell matches this description: a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell? (mitochondria / cell wall / ribosomes / permanent vacuole) → cell wallPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
2. What does the chloroplasts do? (jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place / there are many of them in muscle cells / controls what the cell does / contain chlorophyll to absorb light) → contain chlorophyll to absorb lightPrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.
3. A plant that is not watered wilts (droops). Which part of its cells has lost water? (the permanent vacuole / the ribosomes / the nucleus / the chloroplasts) → the permanent vacuolePrompt: Which part is full of cell sap?

• Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
• Share the objective: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Where is this found: a single loop of DNA not in a nucleus?
• Step 1: Prokaryotes (bacteria) have no nucleus: their DNA is a single loop, often with extra rings called plasmids.
• Step 2: So the answer is: prokaryotic cells only
• Answer: prokaryotic cells only
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Where is this found: a nucleus? (prokaryotic cells only / eukaryotic cells only / both types of cell) → eukaryotic cells onlyPrompt: “Pro-karyote” means “before nucleus”.
2. Why can antibiotics kill bacteria without harming human cells? (Antibiotics only work outside the body / Bacteria have a nucleus that absorbs the drug / Human cells have no ribosomes / They target structures or processes that only bacterial cells have) → They target structures or processes that only bacterial cells havePrompt: Bacterial cell walls and ribosomes differ from ours.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes: which statement is NOT true? (Some bacteria have a flagellum to move. / Eukaryotic cells keep their DNA inside a nucleus. / Bacterial cells are much smaller than most animal and plant cells. / Plasmids are found in human cells.) → Plasmids are found in human cells.Prompt: Do bacteria have mitochondria?
2. Where is this found: plasmids (small rings of DNA)? (prokaryotic cells only / eukaryotic cells only / both types of cell) → prokaryotic cells onlyPrompt: “Pro-karyote” means “before nucleus”.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-9.