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Plant and Animal Cells Activities for Middle School Science

The resources below will provide students a comprehensive understanding of plant and animal cells. All of the following lessons are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

The Plant and Animal Cells 5E Lesson includes materials for every "E" phase, including the Plant and Animal Cells Station Lab for Exploration and an interactive PowerPoint with digital INB templates for Explanation.

The lesson also includes introduction materials for Engagement, student-choice project ideas for Elaboration, and assessments for Evaluation.

After completing the Plant and Animal Cells 5E Lesson, students will be able to differentiate between structure and function in plant and animal cell organelles, including cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, chloroplast, and vacuole.

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The Plant and Animal Cells Inquiry Lab is a hands-on activity that is differentiated for advanced, on-level, and modified middle school students.

Students will observe and compare plant and animal cells. They will be challenged to think about why the structure of each cell matches its function and why all cells are not the same, even in the same organism.

The Plant and Animal Cells Inquiry Lab includes a brief reading passage, comprehension checks, hands-on activities, reflection questions, and a CER conclusion.

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Year-Round Resources

These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Visual Data & Graphing

You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.

Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups

These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.

Review Board Games

Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.

Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.


Essential Questions and Standards

Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the plant and animal cells unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.

Essential Questions
  • What is the difference between structure and function in plant and animal cell organelles?
  • What is a cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, chloroplast, and vacuole?
Standards
  • 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
  • MS LS1-3 - Use argument supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells
  • TEKS Science 7.12 D - Differentiate between structure and function in plant and animal cell organelles, including cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondrion, chloroplast, and vacuole
  • TEKS Science 7.12 E - Compare the functions of cell organelles to the functions of an organ system

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Kesler Science Membership

Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).

Say goodbye to long hours of lesson prep.