Science lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes
Specialised cells
Cells, genetics and evolution
CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-2CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-2England: KS3 Biology: Cells and organisationEngland: KS4 Combined Science: Cell biology
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Specialised cells.
- 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: Stem cells and their medical uses
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.
- Which part of a cell contains the genetic material? (nucleus / cell wall / cell membrane / chloroplasts) → nucleusPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
- Cells: which statement is NOT true? (Bacterial cells have no nucleus. / All plant cells have chloroplasts. / Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane. / Chloroplasts are found in plant cells, not animal cells.) → All plant cells have chloroplasts.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
- Which part of a cell contains chlorophyll? (chloroplasts / cell wall / nucleus / mitochondria) → chloroplastsPrompt: 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: Specialised cells. 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 specialised cell has no nucleus, leaving more room for haemoglobin (hemoglobin)?
- Step 1: Red blood cells have no nucleus and are full of haemoglobin (hemoglobin) to carry oxygen.
- Step 2: So the answer is: red blood cell
- Answer: red blood cell
- 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.
- Which specialised cell has no chloroplasts because it is underground? (root hair cell / palisade cell / red blood cell / sperm cell) → root hair cellPrompt: What job would need this feature?
- Why are root hair cells long and thin? (to carry sugar / to protect the leaf / to make food from light / to give a large surface area to absorb water and minerals) → to give a large surface area to absorb water and mineralsPrompt: More surface, more absorption.
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.
- What does it mean when a cell differentiates? (It divides into four cells. / It dies. / It becomes specialised for a particular job. / It loses all its DNA.) → It becomes specialised for a particular job.Prompt: Stem cells can do this.
- Specialised cells: which statement is true? (Nerve cells carry electrical impulses. / All cells in the body look the same. / Sperm cells have no mitochondria. / Root hair cells contain lots of chloroplasts.) → Nerve cells carry electrical impulses.Prompt: Match each cell's features to its job.
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: Stem cells and their medical uses.
- 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-7.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder