Cells are 3-D

Return to the article.

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

• GRADES K - 12
  NL-ENG.K-12.3 Evaluation Strategies
  NL-ENG.K-12.12 Applying Language Skills

SCIENCE

• GRADES 5 - 8
  NS.5-8.3 Life Science

• GRADES 9 - 12
  NS.9-12.3 Life Science

See more lessons in the following Education World articles:

• March into Spring
• Signs of Spring -- Lessons to Welcome a New Season!
• A Garden of Growing Activities
• Gems from the Garden: Digging Up Activities for All Ages
• Schoolyard Soil Dwellers: What's Living In Your Schoolyard?
• School Gardens Sprouting in Chicago
• Springtime Online
• Grow a Garden of Opportunity

Return to the Plants and Gardens lesson plan page.