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Cells are 3-D

 

Featured Graphic

 

 

 

Subjects

 

  • Arts & Humanities
    Visual Arts
  • Science
    Biology, Botany, Life Sciences

 

Grades

6-8, 9-12

 

 

Brief Description

Students make 3-dimensional models of plant and animal cells.

 

 

Objectives

 

Students

  • compare and contrast the structures of plants and animals.
  • demonstrate understanding of the 3-dimensional aspect of cell structure.
  • identify the various parts of plant and animal cells.
  • create 3-D models of plant and animal cells.

 

Keywords

botany, cell, plants

 

 

Materials Needed

 

  • clay (recipe provided)
  • food coloring or tempera paints
  • disposable gloves
  • various materials for creating structural elements of cells, such as yarn or undercooked spaghetti, pepper, plastic bubble packing, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and pencil shavings -- see lesson for details.
  • scissors
  • glue

 

Lesson Plan

In this lesson, students work in small groups to make two cells -- one plant and one animal cell. The activity works equally well as a structured, teacher-directed activity or as a small group or individual endeavor; the students' own experience, knowledge, and creativity are the only determinants.

 

For complete details, see the lesson at Making Three-Dimensional Plant and Animal Cells.

 

Assessment

At the end of this activity, students share ideas and information with their classmates. They can be evaluated on their participation in this activity, or the teacher can have students write brief paragraphs about the similarities and differences of the two types of cells and use those papers as an evaluative tool.

 

 

Lesson Plan Source

Columbia Education Center (Portland, Oregon)

 

 

Submitted By

Patricia Brickley

 

 

National Standards

FINE ARTS: Visual Arts

 

  • GRADES 5 - 8
    NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
    NA-VA.5-8.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
  • GRADES 9 - 12
    NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
    NA-VA.9-12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines

LANGUAGE ARTS: English

SCIENCE

See more lessons in the following Education World articles:

Return to the Plants and Gardens lesson plan page.

 

Originally published 03/29/2002
Last updated 02/16/2009