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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 45 minutes

Which cell parts are in plant cells, animal cells or both?

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-1CCSS NGSS.MS-LS1-2England: KS3 Biology: Cells and organisation

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Which cell parts are in plant cells, animal cells or both?.

  • 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: the next skill in this area.

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

Warm-up · 5 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 is made of cellulose? (cell wall / mitochondria / cell membrane / nucleus) → cell wallPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
  2. Cells: which statement is NOT true? (All plant cells have chloroplasts. / Both plant and animal cells have a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane. / Most plant cells have a large permanent vacuole. / Plant cells have a cell wall but animal cells do not.) → All plant cells have chloroplasts.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell releases energy from glucose? (chloroplasts / nucleus / cell membrane / mitochondria) → mitochondriaPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.

Hook · 5 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Which cell parts are in plant cells, animal cells or both?. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Where is this found: cell membrane?
  • Step 1: Nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria and ribosomes are in both.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: both plant and animal cells
  • Answer: both plant and animal cells
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 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. Where is this found: cell membrane? (plant cells only / both plant and animal cells) → both plant and animal cellsPrompt: Plant cells have everything animal cells have, plus some extras.
  2. Onion skin cells are from a plant, but they have no chloroplasts. Why? (Chloroplasts are only found in flowers / The onion bulb grows underground, away from light / Onion cells are animal cells / Onions are not living things) → The onion bulb grows underground, away from lightPrompt: Do all plant cells photosynthesise?

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Where is this found: nucleus? (plant cells only / both plant and animal cells) → both plant and animal cellsPrompt: Plant cells have everything animal cells have, plus some extras.
  2. Plant and animal cells: which statement is NOT true? (Animal cells have a cell membrane but no cell wall. / A cell wall is made of cellulose in plants. / Animal cells have small chloroplasts. / Both plant and animal cells have mitochondria.) → Animal cells have small chloroplasts.Prompt: Do plants respire as well as photosynthesise?

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

  • 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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Which cell parts are in plant cells, animal cells or both?

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Where is this found: nucleus?

    • A. plant cells only
    • B. both plant and animal cells

  2. Question 2

    Plant and animal cells: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. A cell wall is made of cellulose in plants.
    • B. Animal cells have a cell membrane but no cell wall.
    • C. Plant cells do not need mitochondria because they photosynthesise.
    • D. Both plant and animal cells have mitochondria.

  3. Question 3

    Why do animal cells not need a cell wall?

    • A. Animal cells are too small for walls
    • B. Walls would stop all substances entering
    • C. Animal cells have chloroplasts instead
    • D. Animals are supported by skeletons and their cells need to be flexible

  4. Question 4

    Where is this found: ribosomes?

    • A. plant cells only
    • B. both plant and animal cells

  5. Question 5

    Where is this found: chloroplasts?

    • A. plant cells only
    • B. both plant and animal cells

  6. Question 6

    Onion skin cells are from a plant, but they have no chloroplasts. Why?

    • A. Onion cells are animal cells
    • B. Onions are not living things
    • C. The onion bulb grows underground, away from light
    • D. Chloroplasts are only found in flowers

  7. Question 7

    Where is this found: mitochondria?

    • A. plant cells only
    • B. both plant and animal cells

  8. Question 8

    Under a microscope, cells have regular box shapes, green discs and a large central space. They come from…

    • A. a leaf
    • B. a cheek swab
    • C. human blood
    • D. a frog's skin

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Answer key: Which cell parts are in plant cells, animal cells or both?

  1. 1. B. both plant and animal cells

  2. 2. C. Plant cells do not need mitochondria because they photosynthesise.

  3. 3. D. Animals are supported by skeletons and their cells need to be flexible

  4. 4. B. both plant and animal cells

  5. 5. A. plant cells only

  6. 6. C. The onion bulb grows underground, away from light

  7. 7. B. both plant and animal cells

  8. 8. A. a leaf