STEM Learning Module Template
PISA Team:
Name / Grade / SchoolAlissa Ferrara / 4 / James F. Murray P.S. #38
Marissa McCarthy / 4 / James F. Murray P.S. #38
Stephanie Laros-Glykis / 4 / James F. Murray P.S. #38
Strand(s): Cells
Grade(s):4
Key Science Terms: cell, cell membrane, mitochondria, vacuoles, nucleus, cell wall, chloroplast, cytoplasm, Robert Hooke.
Key Science Concepts:
* Robert Hooke named the cell.
*The basic building blocks of life are made up of cells.
*All living things are made up of cells.
*The main parts of the animal cell are the nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria, vacuoles, and cytoplasm.
*Plant cells contain the same parts as animal cells with the addition of a cell wall and chloroplast.
* A cell membrane acts as the “doorway” to the cell and lets only specific materials in and out of the cell.
* Engineers use a series of guiding steps called the “Engineering Design Process” to ask, imagine, plan, create, and improve technologies.
NJCCC Standards:
5.1 (Scientific Processes) All students will develop problem- solving, decision-making, and inquiry skills, reflected by formulating usable questions and hypotheses, planning experiments, conducting systematic observations, interpreting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions and communicating results.
5.5 (Characteristics of Life) All students will gain an understanding of the structure, characteristics, and basic needs of organisms and will investigate the diversity of life.
5E’s / Procedure / AssessmentAttach all assessments / Materials/Handouts
Attach all handouts
Engage
Days/Hours:
90 minutes / Key Questions:
* What is a cell?
* How big is a cell?
Key Concepts:
* The basic building blocks of life are made up of cells.
* All living things are made up of cells.
Procedure:
1. Brainstorm with students- What is a cell?
Students will work in small groups to answer the question. / * KWL
(pre-test) / *KWL
Explore
Days/Hours:
Two 90 minute blocks / Key Questions:
*What is a cell?
* What are the functions of each part of the cell and how do they work together?
Key Concepts:
* A cell membrane acts as the “doorway” to the cell and lets only specific materials in and out of the cell.
Procedure:
1. Create a model membrane that demonstrates its purpose in the cell using the EIE unit: Just Passing Through. Follow all lesson procedures. / * Membrane EIE Unit (All handouts)
Explain
Days/Hours:
90 minutes / Key Questions:
* What are the parts of an animal and plant cell?
* What does a plant cell look like?
Key Concepts:
* Identify the parts of a plant and animal cell.
* Compare/contrast an animal cell with a plant cell.
* The main parts of the plant cell are the nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria, vacuoles, cytoplasm, cell wall, and chloroplast.
Procedure:
1. Onion Activity
Cut an onion in half. Take out one of the inside onion leaves. From the outside leaf peel off a tiny piece of the outer cell layer. Place this onto a microscope slide. The piece of onion should be no bigger than 1cm. Cover this with one drop of iodine solution and place the cover slip over this. Observe the cells using the 10x objective lens.
2. Label an onion cell diagram.
3. Power point of real pictures of cells. / * Online cell quiz
* Homework:
Draw and label plant and animal cell diagrams.
/ *Venn diagram
* Microscope diagram worksheet
* Label onion cell worksheet
*Cell power point
Elaborate
Days/Hours:
Two 90 minute blocks / Key Questions:
* How can we compare a school map to the system of a plant cell?
Key Concepts:
*This lesson is designed to reinforce student comprehension of the parts of a cell.
Procedure:
1. Review the term analogy with students.
2. Break students up into small groups.
3. Give each group a handout and have them follow the directions given.
4. After students complete activity, have them display their map and explain to the class how they described the school as a cell. / *School map handout
Evaluate
Days/Hours:
30 minutes / Procedure:
1.Complete cell evaluation. / *Cell evaluation
Use link below and click on cells and choose SOL 5.5 Cells Quiz.
Helpful Resource: