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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 30 minutes

Match cell parts to the jobs they do

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-2England: KS3 Biology: Cells and organisationEngland: GCSE Combined Science: Cell biology

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Match cell parts to the jobs they do.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Plant and animal cells

Leads to: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Plant and animal cells). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which part of a cell controls what enters and leaves the cell? (cell membrane / chloroplasts / cell wall / mitochondria) → cell membranePrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
  2. Cells: which statement is NOT true? (Animal cells have a cell wall. / Plant cells have a cell wall but animal cells do not. / Most plant cells have a large permanent vacuole. / Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane.) → Animal cells have a cell wall.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell contains the genetic material? (cell wall / nucleus / chloroplasts / mitochondria) → nucleusPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Match cell parts to the jobs they do. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which part of a cell matches this description: where proteins are made?
  • Step 1: Ribosomes join amino acids to make proteins.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: ribosomes
  • Answer: ribosomes
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Which part of a cell matches this description: where proteins are made? (cell wall / cell membrane / nucleus / ribosomes) → ribosomesPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. What does the cytoplasm do? (jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place / a thin, flexible layer around the cytoplasm / contains the DNA that carries genetic instructions / a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell) → jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take placePrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • 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.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. What does the cell wall do? (filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm / controls which substances enter and leave the cell / contains the DNA that carries genetic instructions / a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell) → a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cellPrompt: Match the name to its job, not to where it is.
  2. Which part of a cell matches this description: jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place? (chloroplasts / mitochondria / nucleus / cytoplasm) → cytoplasmPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Plant and animal cells.
  • Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-6.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Match cell parts to the jobs they do

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    A plant that is not watered wilts (droops). Which part of its cells has lost water?

    • A. the permanent vacuole
    • B. the ribosomes
    • C. the chloroplasts
    • D. the nucleus

  2. Question 2

    Which part of a cell matches this description: a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell?

    • A. permanent vacuole
    • B. chloroplasts
    • C. cell wall
    • D. cytoplasm

  3. Question 3

    What does the cell wall do?

    • A. controls what the cell does
    • B. controls which substances enter and leave the cell
    • C. a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell
    • D. there are many of them in muscle cells

  4. Question 4

    Which part of a cell matches this description: contain chlorophyll to absorb light?

    • A. permanent vacuole
    • B. cytoplasm
    • C. mitochondria
    • D. chloroplasts

  5. Question 5

    What does the permanent vacuole do?

    • A. filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm
    • B. controls what the cell does
    • C. contain chlorophyll to absorb light
    • D. where aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose

  6. Question 6

    Muscle cells in a sprinter's legs contain huge numbers of one structure. Which?

    • A. chloroplasts
    • B. cell walls
    • C. vacuoles
    • D. mitochondria

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Answer key: Match cell parts to the jobs they do

  1. 1. A. the permanent vacuole

  2. 2. C. cell wall

  3. 3. C. a rigid layer of cellulose that strengthens the cell

  4. 4. D. chloroplasts

  5. 5. A. filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm

  6. 6. D. mitochondria