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Science lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 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 · 6 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 absorbs light for photosynthesis? (nucleus / cell membrane / chloroplasts / cell wall) → chloroplastsPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.
  2. Cells: which statement is NOT true? (Most plant cells have a large permanent vacuole. / Chloroplasts are found in plant cells, not animal cells. / Bacterial cells have no nucleus. / Animal cells have a cell wall.) → Animal cells have a cell wall.Prompt: Do plant cells respire?
  3. Which part of a cell strengthens and supports a plant cell? (cell membrane / cell wall / nucleus / mitochondria) → cell wallPrompt: Think about which parts are only in plant cells.

Hook · 6 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 · 12 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 · 12 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 wall? (plant cells only / both plant and animal cells) → plant cells onlyPrompt: Plant cells have everything animal cells have, plus some extras.
  2. Under a microscope, cells have regular box shapes, green discs and a large central space. They come from… (a cheek swab / human blood / a leaf / a frog's skin) → a leafPrompt: Which cell type has chloroplasts and a vacuole?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Why do animal cells not need a cell wall? (Animal cells have chloroplasts instead / Animals are supported by skeletons and their cells need to be flexible / Animal cells are too small for walls / Walls would stop all substances entering) → Animals are supported by skeletons and their cells need to be flexiblePrompt: What supports an animal's body?
  2. Where is this found: mitochondria? (plant cells only / both plant and animal cells) → both plant and animal cellsPrompt: Plant cells have everything animal cells have, plus some extras.

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

    A cell sample has a nucleus, cell membrane and mitochondria, but no cell wall. It is most likely from…

    • A. a leaf
    • B. an onion skin
    • C. an animal, such as a cheek swab
    • D. a moss plant

  2. Question 2

    Where is this found: nucleus?

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

  3. Question 3

    Plant and animal cells: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. Not every plant cell has chloroplasts.
    • B. Animal cells have small chloroplasts.
    • C. Animal cells have a cell membrane but no cell wall.
    • D. A cell wall is made of cellulose in plants.

  4. Question 4

    Why do animal cells not need a cell wall?

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

  5. Question 5

    Where is this found: cytoplasm?

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

  6. Question 6

    Where is this found: chloroplasts?

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

  7. Question 7

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

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

  8. Question 8

    Where is this found: cell membrane?

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

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

  1. 1. C. an animal, such as a cheek swab

  2. 2. B. both plant and animal cells

  3. 3. B. Animal cells have small chloroplasts.

  4. 4. C. Animals are supported by skeletons and their cells need to be flexible

  5. 5. B. both plant and animal cells

  6. 6. A. plant cells only

  7. 7. A. a leaf

  8. 8. B. both plant and animal cells