It is often difficult for students to remember the functions of the cellular organelles because they cannot see, feel, or touch them. Presenting the analogy of the "Cell As A City" helps them realize that each organelle has an essential function. There is also a small section at the bottom of the resource asking the students to recall which cell parts are in a eukaryote, prokaryote, or both.

This worksheet will help your students demonstrate understanding of the concept after a lecture. It could also be used after a traditional organelles lecture, but before you have presented the analogy as a non-graded exercise.

In this unit, students will be given a chance to study and view different types of cells, compare and contrast the features of the major cell types, learn about the function of specialization and differentiation in multicellular organisms, and review/learn the major organelles that will become the foundation of later units.This module was developed by Liz Ashby as part of a Virginia Commonwealth University STEM initiative sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom.

Science Instructional Plans (SIPs) help teachers align instruction with the Science Standards of Learning (SOL) by providing examples of how the content and the scientific and engineering practices found in the SOL and curriculum framework can be presented to students in the classroom. This lesson includes the WIDA English Language Development Standards for ELs and differentiation through additional supports for both ELs and other students. 

A simple assessment or question bank focused on helping students differentiate between the subtleties and functions of various cell types. These questions can be used in a variety of ways for a life science or biology classroom, e.g. as an assessment, a pre-test, or incorporated into a group activity or game.

Students present charades or play Pictionary representing the characteristics of different organelles. Student responses (their guesses for the charades) are recorded via a google form...thus everyone is involved and responsible for making individual guesses.

Students present charades or play Pictionary representing the characteristics of different organelles. Student responses (their guesses for the charades) are recorded via a google form...thus everyone is involved and responsible for making individual guesses.