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Life Science · Cells and Organization

Cell Structure & Function

Use microscope observations and cell models to explain how cell structures support the jobs a cell must do, then compare evidence from plant and animal cells.

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Start with the lesson plan.

52 min~12 min prep7 materialsNGSS Middle School (Grades 6–8) Alignment · MS-LS1-2 · MS-LS1-1

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Lesson overview

What students will learn

  • I can separate what I actually observe in a cell image from what a scientific model helps explain.
  • I can connect a cell structure to its function and explain how that function helps the whole cell.

Key science ideas

  • All living things are made of one or more cells.
  • A cell contains structures that do different jobs and work as parts of one system.
  • Structure and function are connected: a structure's features help it do a job for the cell.

Lesson at a glance

  • Grade 6
  • 52 min
  • ~12 min prep
  • MS-LS1-2 · MS-LS1-1
  • 7 materials

What’s included

  • Lesson Plan
  • Investigation
  • Teacher Slides
  • Printable Worksheet
  • Teacher Answer Key
  • Interactive Activity
  • Vocabulary