Download Cell City Background Information

Cell City
Background Information
Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. Cells have many different parts and
each part has a different function. Cells are made of atoms, which are the tiniest units of
matter. Cells have different sizes, shapes, and jobs to do. There are many different types
of cells, but you will focus on plant and animal cells.
Design Challenge
As the new city planner, you are in charge of a revitalization project for your city. You and
your team are in charge of developing “Cell City.” You can develop any part of the city,
such as city hall, an amusement park, a store, airport, sports arena, etc.
Criteria
You Cell City must include:
 A clever name for your city
 Analogies that describe what role each organelle would play in an actual city
 A labeled sketch of your cell city
 A 3D model of your cell city
 A detailed field guide to help direct tourist around Cell City
 Cell Paper-Trapped Inside a Cell
Materials/Tools:
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Classroom items to represent
organelles
Legos
K’Nex
boxes
Paper towel rolls
Wrapping paper rolls
newspaper
Candy to represent organelles
Cardboard
Markers
Labels
Construction Paper
Cardstock
Additional materials based on student
design.
ELA ConnectionHelp, I’m Trapped Inside a Cell!
Pretend you are trapped inside a cell.
How did you get into the cell? Use
sensory details and figurative language
to describe each organelle in the cell. Be
as descriptive and informative as you
can. Think of a creative way to get
yourself out of the cell. Be sure to
include all parts of the cell.
Supplemental Resources:
Cells, Gels, and the Engine of Life by
Gerald H. Pollack
Cell Wars (Cells and Things) by Fran
Balkwill and Mic Rolph
Standards
Science
S5L3 Students will diagram and label parts of various cells.
 b. Identify parts of a plant cell (membrane, wall, cytoplasm, nucleus, chloroplasts)
and of an animal cell (membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus) and determine the
function of the parts.
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c. Explain how cells in multi-celled organisms are similar and different in structure
and function to single-celled organisms.
Writing
ELACC5.W.3 Students will write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
 d. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and
events precisely.
Assessments/Rubrics
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Student Journal
Teacher Observations
Name:______________
Cell City
Challenge:
As the new city planner, you are in charge of a revitalization project for your city. You and
your team are in charge of developing “Cell City.” You can develop any part of the city,
such as city hall, an amusement park, a store, airport, sports arena, etc.
Criteria/Constraints:
You
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Cell City must include:
A clever name for your city
Analogies that describe what role each organelle would play in an actual city
A labeled sketch of your cell city
A 3D model of your cell city
A detailed field guide to help direct tourist around Cell City
Cell Paper-Trapped Inside a Cell
Materials:
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•
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Classroom items to represent organelles
Legos
K’Nex
boxes
Paper towel rolls
Wrapping paper rolls
newspaper
Candy to represent organelles
Cardboard
Markers
Labels
Construction Paper
Cardstock
1. ASK / ENGAGE: What is the problem you are being asked to solve?
2. IMAGINE/BRAINSTORM: What are some possible solutions to the problem that you are trying to solve? After you brainstorm,
draw and label your ideas below.
Idea #1
Idea #2
3. PLAN/DESIGN: Share your ideas with your group and collaborate to decide on a final design plan. Draw your team’s design
below and make a list of the materials that you will need to complete your design.
Team Design Plan
Materials List
4. CREATE/TEST: Use your Final Design Plan to create and build your solution. Test your design. Did it work? Why or Why not?
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5. EVAULATE/IMPROVE: How well did your design work? Did your solution solve the problem within the given constraints?
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How can you improve your design? How can you make it better? Draw and label your improved design below.
Improved Design Plan