6th Grade Life Science
Unit Plan – Cell Structures and Processes
Teacher: Mrs. Selzer
Grade Level Indicators:
A. Cells are the fundamental unit of life.
B. All cells come from pre-existing cells.
C. Cells carry on specific functions that sustain life.
D. Living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the
complementary nature of structure and function.
Concepts of Unit:
Cell Structures: cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts,
cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vacuoles, ribosomes,
chromosomes.
Cell Processes: photosynthesis, respiration, mitosis, specialization, diffusion,
osmosis.
Modern Cell Theory: All living things are made up of cells.
Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things.
All cells come from pre-existing cells.
Skills used in Unit:
* Identify questions and answers.
* Design and conduct investigations.
* Use appropriate tools and resources.
* Analyze and interpret data.
* Develop descriptions, models, explanations, and predictions.
* Think critically and logically.
* Recognize and analyze alternative explanations.
* Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
Critical Questions:
1. What are cells?
2. What makes up a cell?
3. How are plant and animal cells alike/different?
4. What is the function of each cell organelle?
5. What processes do cells perform?
Assessments used in Unit:
Diagnostic: pre-test over unit
Formative: lab activities, class discussions, cell comparison, quizzes
Summative: post-test over unit, cell model project