November 12, 2014
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Students have begun a unit on The Cell, chapter 2 in the Life’s Structure and Function textbook. We have studied all about the various organelles and structures of cells and how each has a particular function. Students have been assigned a project called, Cell-a-brating Life by Building a Cell. Students will create a three-dimensional model of a plant or animal cell. Please see the project directions sheet and rubric for details.
Many creative ideas are available to students and are discussed in class. Students are encouraged to use recyclable materials and other inexpensive objects that represent by shape, size and color the various organelles that are found in the cell. Shoe boxes work great as well as plastic containers. In the past some cells were made out of pizza decorated with various types of toppings each chosen carefully to represent the parts of a cell and some were made out legos and fabric sewn to create a 3-D cell. Other cells have been made out of foam or Styrofoam.
This Cell project is due Friday, November 21st. On this day students will present and share their projects. The classroom will be a virtual cell museum. I call this very special day, our “Cell-a-Bration”. We celebrate remarkable and amazing cells. Students are allowed to eat the edible cells if they wish. This is a really fun visual and kinesthetic activity that engages student learning of the cell as well as helping to reinforce concepts.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Pratt
Here is a link to the project guidelines and rubric:
