Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Building Blocks of Life, Cells!

Name: Amanda Durant

Content Area: Life Science

Grade Level: 7th

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

MS-LS1-1. Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and
types of cells.
MS-LS1-2. Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
Big Ideas:
All living things are made up of 1 or more cells.
There are two main types of cells which make up all living organisms.
Within the cell individual parts carry out different functions which allow the cell to be a vital part of the organism.
Unit Goals and Objectives:
The goal of this unit is to introduce students to cells and demonstrate that they are the building blocks of all types of life. Students
will be able to recognize the different types of cells. In doing so they will evaluate the current cell evolution theory. The students
will provide evidence which supports this theory. Students will be able to compare the different types of cells and predict why these
differences exist. As they organize the information about the parts of cells they will be able to compare the functions and
understand which cells have which parts. Students will be able to evaluate all of the information and construct a model which
relates the cell and its parts.
Unit Summary:
In this 7th grade biology Digital Unit we will learn all about cells. Students will learn that there are two main types of cells which are
found in different types of organisms. Students will be introduced to the unit with an interactive lecture and complete guided notes.
The students will understand that the differences in the two types of cells is evidence for cell evolution. We will take a closer look at
Eukaryotic cells which include both animal and plant cells. Plant cells differ from animal cells in a very specific way, students will
understand why these differences are important. Then students will be able to investigate further information found on the
internet to further their understanding of these small but important parts of all life. As we examine what is inside cells we will learn
about how each part of a cell has a particular function that makes life possible. Students will be able to take all that they learn to
think critically about the importance of each part of the cell. Students will be able to organize information on a graphic organizer in
order to understand which type of cells the part is found in and what the function of that part is.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level: Students will brainstorm
within groups of four about what they
already know about cells. Then groups
will share some of their responses.

Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective: Students
can differentiate the
types of cells and
compare the
similarities and
differences. They will
understand why these
differences exist.

Formative:
1) Students will fill out an exit card after
the lecture, answering the question,
What evidence supports the
Endosymbiosis Theory?
2) Students will complete a crossword
puzzle to review important terms and
there relations.
3) Students will utilize a Quizlet
vocabulary list to review the parts of the
cell and their functions.
4) All students will participate in a
question and answer white board activity.
The teacher will ask questions to review
and students will write down the answers
on their white boards and then hold them
up.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students will apply
the differences of cells
by evaluating the
evidence of cell
evolution.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Summative:
1) Students will complete a project
where they design and make a 3D
model of either a plant or animal
cell. They will include labels and a
key which will reflect the function
of the parts of the cell.
2) Students will complete an end of
the unit test which will include, fill
in the blank, multiple choice and
short answer questions.

Lesson Activities: In order to access prior knowledge,

students will brainstorm what they already know about
cells. Then students will view the lecture and complete the
guided notes. During the lecture students will discuss
questions which are posed to the whole class as well as in
pairs. During the lecture students will complete the Venn
diagram in order to compare eukaryotic and prokaryotic
cells. The students will then discuss if they agree with the
current theory of the evolution of Eukaryotic cells. At the
end of the lecture students will be introduced to animal
and plant cells and understand the differences between
the two and why they exist. At the end of the lesson
students will complete an exit card, What evidence
supports the Endosymbiosis Theory? Students will be
given a crossword puzzle to assess knowledge for
homework.

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective: Students
can summarize
information about the
types of cells and
evaluate varies parts
of the cell to
understand their
importance for the cell
to function.

Lesson 3
Student Learning
Objective: Students
will demonstrate their
knowledge of the
parts of the cell by
applying it and
justifying their
answers.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students are able to
identify which
features are unique to
each type of cell and
distinguish between a
prokaryotic cell, and
the two types of
eukaryotic (plant and
animal).

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities: Students will utilize a Webercise to

research cells, answer questions and complete tasks. The
first page will serve as an introduction to access prior
knowledge and demonstrate the variety of cells. Next
students will watch a short video which describes the
differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells, then
identify which type of cell fits a list of descriptions.
Students will then take a closer look at Eukaryotic cells
which include both plant and animal cells. Finally students
will complete an interactive lesson. At the end of the lesson
they will summarize the unique characteristics of each
type of cell to help them compare the types of cells.

Acceptable Evidence:
Students can organize
information about the
parts of the cell in a
logical order.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities: Students will use a two column note

taking procedure to list out important parts of the cells
and facts about each part. Students will watch a video, read
their text book and visit a website to gather the
information. Students will then work in groups of 4 to
make a concept map on popplet to organize all the
information, so that they can easily assess information
about each part of the cell. At the end of the lesson the
students will be introduced to the 3D model project, the
graphic organizer will be valuable when making the model
and the key.

Unit Resources:
Teacher Website:
http://durantscience.weebly.com
Cell Unit Website:
http://durantsciencecells.weebly.com
Lesson 1:
Lecture link:
https://prezi.com/asyehbgxvrhe/building-blocks-of-life-cells/
Video embedded in lecture:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFuEo2ccTPA
Lesson 2:
Webquest links:
http://www.kidsdiscover.com/spotlight/kids-cells/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ-SMCmWB1s
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/insideacell/
http://www.wiley.com/legacy/college/boyer/0470003790/animations/cell_structure/cell_structure.htm
Lesson 3:
Video, parts of the cell song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zafJKbMPA8
Parts of the cell information page:
http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell_main.html
Popplet sample (works best using internet explorer):
http://popplet.com/app/#/2435531
Assessments:
Quizlet:
http://quizlet.com/76801125/the-building-blocks-of-life-cells-parts-of-the-cell-vocab-flash-cards
3D warehouse:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/
3D warehouse cell sample:
https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model.html?id=2bf9e2dbb0e7e4eb38947505575ee2c8

Unit Resources:
Fun facts about cells:
http://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/building-blocks-life
Cell Craft:
http://www.carolina.com/teacher-resources/Interactive/online-game-cell-structure-cellcraft-biology/tr11062.tr
Compare plant and animal cells:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/science_up_close/510/deploy/interface.swf
Animation of parts of the cell:
http://www.cellsalive.com/cells/cell_model.htm
Vocabulary practice:
http://quizlet.com/57007/cell-parts-flash-cards/
Cell quiz practice:
http://www.biomanbio.com/Quizzes/cellquizzes.html
Kahn discusses structure of cells:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology/cell-division/v/nuclei-membranes-ribosomeseukaryotes-and-prokaryotes
Endosymbiosis information:
https://paul-andersen.squarespace.com/endosymbiosis
Crash course, plant cells:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UvlqAVCoqY&index=2&list=PLb3m_5kPlQwPK22qq6tBsUt_pkt4UQUvQ
Crash course, animal cells:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj8dDTHGJBY&list=PLb3m_5kPlQwPK22qq6tBsUt_pkt4UQUvQ
Inside of a cell animation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyUtbn0O5Y

Useful Websites:
A chart of the parts of cells, with pictures, locations, descriptions and function listed out:
http://www.biologyjunction.com/cell_functions.htm
Simple video explaining endosymbiotic theory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBjD4A7R2xU
Evolution of Eukaryotic organisms video using clay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaAM8qQcs6E
Educational site about the types of cells:
http://evolution.about.com/od/Overview/a/Types-Of-Cells.htm
Interesting article about teaching 3D modeling of cells to students:
http://www.outreach.colorado.edu/programs/details/id/466
Creative ways to teach about the cell:
http://www.biologycorner.com/2012/10/27/5-creative-ways-to-teach-the-cell/
A website with varies information on cells:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/
A website to make Wordle Clouds:
http://www.wordle.net/
CA state standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/pd/ca/sc/ngssstandards.asp