Building a Cell

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are currently are finishing up a unit on Cells, chapter 1 in the Omniscience textbook.  We have studied all about microscopes, the differences between living and nonliving organisms as well as  the various organelles and parts of plant and animal cells and how each has a particular function.  Students have been assigned a project called, Building a Cell.  Students will create a three-dimensional model of a plant or animal cell.  We created a project rubric as a whole class. Students have the rubric in their science binders.   

Many creative ideas are available to students and some were discussed in class.  Students are encouraged to use recyclable materials and other inexpensive objects that represent by shape, size and color the various organelles that are found in the cell.  Shoe boxes work great as well as plastic containers.  In the past some cells were made out of cake or Jell-O and decorated with various types of candies each chosen carefully to represent the parts of a cell and some were made out of pizza.  Other cells have been made out of foam or Styrofoam.

This Cell project is due Thursday, November 5th.  On this day students will present and share their projects.  The classroom will be a virtual cell museum.  I call this day “Cell-a-Bration”.  We celebrate remarkable and amazing cells.  Students are allowed to eat the edible cells if they wish.  This is a really fun visual and kinesthetic activity that engages student learning of the cell as well as helping to reinforce concepts.

In addition to the Building A Cell Project, students will be writing a unit quiz on November 10^th, 2015.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

Regards,

Mme Tiffany L. Rogers

Here are a few examples of cell models: