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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 / nucleus / 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. / Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane. / Most plant cells have a large permanent vacuole. / Bacterial cells have no nucleus.) → Animal cells have a cell wall.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell releases energy from glucose? (cell wall / cell membrane / nucleus / mitochondria) → mitochondriaPrompt: 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: jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place? (cytoplasm / nucleus / chloroplasts / ribosomes) → cytoplasmPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. What does the ribosomes do? (where photosynthesis happens / contain chlorophyll to absorb light / filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm / where proteins are made) → where proteins are madePrompt: 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. Which part of a cell matches this description: where photosynthesis happens? (cytoplasm / chloroplasts / cell membrane / mitochondria) → chloroplastsPrompt: Think about which part controls, which part makes energy available and which part lets things in and out.
  2. Cells in a carrot root are not green. Which part do they lack? (mitochondria / cell wall / chloroplasts / nucleus) → chloroplastsPrompt: Roots grow in the dark soil.

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

    Cells in the pancreas make a lot of protein enzymes. They contain many…

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

  2. Question 2

    What does the cytoplasm do?

    • A. controls which substances enter and leave the cell
    • B. a thin, flexible layer around the cytoplasm
    • C. where proteins are made
    • D. jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place

  3. Question 3

    Which part of a cell matches this description: filled with cell sap to keep the cell firm?

    • A. ribosomes
    • B. cell wall
    • C. cell membrane
    • D. permanent vacuole

  4. Question 4

    Cells in a carrot root are not green. Which part do they lack?

    • A. mitochondria
    • B. nucleus
    • C. chloroplasts
    • D. cell wall

  5. Question 5

    What does the ribosomes do?

    • A. where proteins are made
    • B. where aerobic respiration releases energy from glucose
    • C. where photosynthesis happens
    • D. a thin, flexible layer around the cytoplasm

  6. Question 6

    Which part of a cell matches this description: jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place?

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

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Answer key: Match cell parts to the jobs they do

  1. 1. B. ribosomes

  2. 2. D. jelly-like liquid where most chemical reactions take place

  3. 3. D. permanent vacuole

  4. 4. C. chloroplasts

  5. 5. A. where proteins are made

  6. 6. C. cytoplasm