Download Cells: Structures and Processes

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Unit Organizer
5th Grade Science
Cells: Structures and Processes
Summary
In this domain, students will be learning about basic cell structures and processes. Through read aloud and
lecture, they will learn that all living things are made up of cells and that cells work together to form the
structures necessary for an organism’s survival. Students will also learn and discuss the major differences
between plant and animal cells and the reason for those differences. Students will learn the basic parts of a cell
by creating drawing pictures of animal and plant cells. Students will demonstrate their knowledge during labs,
reading guides, and an end of the unit test.
The Big Idea
All living things are composed of cells; in complex organisms, groups of cells form complex structures that
work together for the survival of the organism.
Colorado State Standards:
SC 5.2.1.a: Develop and communicate an evidence-based scientific explanation of the role of
different organs or structures that are important for an organism’s survival- in both plants and animals
SC 5.2.1.b: Analyze and interpret data to generate evidence that all organisms have structures that are required for survival in
both plants and animals
SC 5.2.1.c: Create and evaluate models of plant and/or animal systems or parts
SC 5.2.2.a: Develop and communicate an evidence-based scientific explanation regarding how humans address basic survival
needs.
SC 5.2.2.b: Analyze and interpret data to generate evidence that human systems are interdependent.
SC 5.2.2.c: Assess further scientific explanations regarding basic human body system functions.
SC 5.2.2.d: Create and evaluate models of human body systems and organs.
SC 5.2.2.e: Compare and contrast a human system to that of another organism, and provide hypotheses about why the
similarities and differences exist.
SC 7.2.2.a: Develop and design a scientific investigation about human body systems.
SC 7.2.2.b: Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation regarding the functions and
interactions of the human body.
SC7.2.2.c: Gather, analyze, and interpret data and models on the functions and interactions of the human body.
SC 7.2.3.a: Gather, analyze, and interpret data and models on the different types of cells, their structures, components and
functions
SC 7.2.3.b: Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation regarding cell structures, components,
and their specific functions
SC 7.2.3.c: Compare and contrast the basic structures and functions of plant cells, animal cells, and single-celled organisms
SC 7.2.3.d: Employ tools to gather, view, analyze, and report results for the scientific investigations of cells
Common Core Standards
W5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
L5.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
when writing.
L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5
reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
RI5.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a
grade 5 topic or subject area.
RI5.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies,
science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and
proficiently.
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Core Knowledge Unit:
II. Cells: Structures and Processes
 All living things are made up of cells.
 Structure of cells (both plant and animal)
Cell membrane: selectively allows substances in and out
Nucleus: surrounded by nuclear membrane, contains genetic material, divides for reproduction
Cytoplasm contains organelles, small structures that carry out the chemical activities of the cell,
including mitochondria (which produce the cell’s energy) and vacuoles (which store food, water,
or wastes).
 Plant cells, unlike animal cells, have cell walls and chloroplasts.
 Cells without nuclei: monerans (bacteria)
 Some organisms consist of only a single cell: for example, amoeba, protozoans, some algae.
 Cells are shaped differently in order to perform different functions.
 Organization of cells into tissues, organs, and systems:
In complex organisms, groups of cells or tissues (for example, in animals,
skin tissue or muscle tissue; in plants, the skin of an onion or the bark of a tree).
Tissues with similar functions form organs (for example, in some animals, the heart, stomach, or
brain; in some plants, the root or flower).
In complex organisms, organs work together in a system (recall, for
example, from earlier studies of the human body, the digestive, circulatory, and respiratory
systems).
Core Knowledge Language Arts
I. Writing Grammar and Usage
A. Writing and research
Produce a variety of types of writing- including summaries, descriptions, essays that explain a
process with coherent structure.
Prior Knowledge
Kindergarten
 Five senses
 Taking care of the body
Grade 1
 Skeletal, muscular, digestive, circulatory systems
 Germs, disease, preventing illness
Grade 2
 Cells, tissues, organs
 Digestive, excretory systems
Grade 3
 Muscular, skeletal, nervous systems
 Vision
 Hearing
Grade 4
 Circulatory system
 Respiratory system
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What Students will Learn in Future Grades
Grade 7
 Cell division and genetics
Previous Unit: Chemistry: Matter and Change
Next Unit: Classification of Living Things
Character Education:
Responsibility by taking care of microscopes and other lab equipment and following safety procedures
Self-Control by displaying appropriate and on-task behavior during experiments
Cooperation through working together during the cell lab and other group activities
Perseverance as demonstrated by Ernest Just throughout his education and study of cells
Additional Resources
For Teachers:
 The Language of Life: How Cells Communicate in Health & Disease by Debra Niehoff
 Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA by Brenda Maddox
For Students:
 Cell Division & Genetics (Cell & Life) by Robert Snedden
 Understanding DNA: A Breakthrough in Medicine by Tony Allan