AUGUSTA COUNTY SCHOOLS
CURRICULUM MAP
Submitted by Cassell Elementary School
CONTENT:
TOPIC:
SCIENCE
5.5 The student will investigate and understand that organisms are made of one or more cells and have distinguishing characteristics that play a
vital role in the organism’s ability to survive and thrive in its environment.
Living Systems
CONTENT
What do your students need to
KNOW?
All students will know:
 Basic cell structures and
functions.
 Classification of organisms using
Physical characteristics, body
structures, and behavior of the
organism.
 Traits of organisms that allow
them to survive in their
environment.
DEMONSTRATORS
What do your students need to be able
to DO?
Students will:

Draw, label, and describe the
essential structures and functions
of plant and animal cells. For
plants, include the nucleus, cell
wall, cell membrane, vacuole,
chloroplasts, and cytoplasm. For
animals, include the nucleus, cell
membrane, vacuole, and
cytoplasm.

Design an investigation to make
observations of cells.

Compare and contrast plant and
animal cells and identify their
major parts and functions.

Group organisms into categories,
using their characteristics: plants
(vascular and nonvascular) and
animals (vertebrates or
invertebrates). Name and
describe two common examples
of each group.

Compare and contrast the
distinguishing characteristics of
groups of organisms.
ASSESSMENT
How will you assess what your students
ALREADY KNOW, and assess WHAT
THEY’VE LEARNED?
 K-W-L chart on plant and animal
cells, adaptations, and
classifications.
 Give unit test as pre- and postassessments. (Cell parts quiz, Plant
and Animal Cells Test, or any listed
under activities)
 Observations during activities
 Class discussions
 Class work (see activities)
 Exit passes
ACTIVITIES
HOW will you teach it?











“Adaptations” (pg 216-217 in
AIMS)
“Bird Beaks and Foul Feet” (pg
218-232 in AIMS)
“Bunches of Bats” (pg 233-242 in
AIMS)
“Animal Adaptations” (pg 243249 in AIMS)
“Beat the Heat” (pg 250-261 in
AIMS)
“Cactus” (pg 262-266 in AIMS)
“Saguaro Study” (pg 267-275 in
AIMS)
Read a story like The Tree of Life:
The World of the African Baobab
by Barbara Bash to the students
and have them list which animals
are vertebrates and which are
invertebrates.
Have students use cell
vocabulary to create a picture of
a classroom/building labeling all
parts to relate to a cell (i.e.
lockers/bathroom/trashcans =
vacuole.
Cell Games
Eucaryotic Cell Interactive

Identify and explain traits of
organisms that allow them to
survive in their environment.























DIFFERENTIATION
How will you meet the needs of all
students?
RESOURCES
Animation
Interactive Cell Structure
“Backbone” song and lyrics
Interactive living systems sort
Interactive kingdom sort
Online vascular tissue tutorial
Cell Inspector tutorial
Games, Lessons, Tests/Quizzes,
PowerPoint presentations
5 E’s Lesson Components Plant
Cell Parts and Functions
Create plant and animal cell
models-see resources.
Animal Migration
Animal and Plant Cells SMART
board lesson
Camouflaged Creatures
Cell Theory lesson plan
Cell Riddles
Hibernation
Vertebrate/Invertebrate cut and
paste
Plant Cell color page
Structures and Functions of Plant
and Animal Cells
Vertebrate classifications
Animal Sort
Life Processes and Cell Parts
Vascular and Nonvascular Plants
Vertebrate Classes
TEACHER NOTES:
 See activities for appropriate
levels for ELL and below grade
level students (Living systems
adaptive notes, Living systems
bingo, 5 kingdoms adaptive notes,
5 kingdoms adaptive test).
 Enrichment- students will have
the opportunity to create and
conduct their own activity/lab on
kingdoms, vascular/nonvascular
plants, vertebrates/
invertebrates and cell parts, to
demonstrate knowledge.
 Use of leveled nonfiction science
readers.










McGraw-Hill Science Textbook
Scott Foresman Science leveled
readers
©2007AIMS Education Foundation
Core Curriculum/Virginia
County created MIND notes 5.5
Rockingham County Schools
Teacher created materials by
Michael Stilwell
www.Teacherspayteachers.com
www.Superteacherworksheets.com
Plant and Animal Cell lessons and
websites
Cells for Kids- lessons, games,
activities