Phase: | During/Explore/Explain |
Activity: | 1. Students will interact with the Hudson Alpha iCell online platform or can download it for free to a digital device. Students will create and complete a chart with columns such as 'Structure', 'Function', 'Sketch', and 'Present in Animal/Plant/both'. 2. The teacher will assign the student a specific cell type (e.g. muscle, nervous, plant leaf, plant root). The student will brainstorm and research the function of that cell to determine what cellular structures would be needed in abundance/not needed. 3. The student will draw a social media post on a piece of paper. Teacher and students can decide what current social media platform to model it after and what should be included, but it is recommended to include: 'name' of the cell, a 'picture' of the cell, and a written caption in the post. For example, the teacher may show an example by drawing a muscle cell in a bulk shopping center with a cart full of mitochondria, with a written caption to the effect of "loading up before I go to work!". 4. Students can 'post' their pages around the room, and then gallery walk and 'reply' to leave comments for each other. The teacher may consider giving parameters for the feedback. Feedback should be constructive, correct, and add to the content. |
Assessment Strategies: | The teacher can use the post pictures and captions to assess student understanding of their particular cell needs. Exit ticket/Formative assessment- teacher gives a cell sample that no student has used, and its function. Students must then write what cell structure that cell would need more/less of and explain WHY they think this. |
Advanced Preparation: | The teacher will need to provide crayons/colored pencils and copy paper/cardstock. |
Variation Tips (optional): | The platform utilizes a standard and advanced levels of investigation on the cell structures. The teacher can instruct students on which version to use The platform also includes a bacterial cell which teacher could assign for extension/acceleration. |
Notes or Recommendations (optional): | This platform utilizes a 3d approach. students can zoom in and spin the cell to see structures from various perspectives. |
Keywords and Search Tags: | animal cell, bacterial cell, cells, organelles, plant cell |