7th Grade Life Science Curriculum
Unit 2: Cell Biology

Written By
Caleb Cheung Malia Dinell Stan Fukunaga Angela Grimes

Overview of Unit

In Unit 2, students learn to use the microscope and use it as a valuable tool to explore the world around them. The exploration provides an entry point into learning about cells. Additional activities teach about cell structures and processes. This unit covers most of the Oakland and California standards related to Cell Biology.

The unit is organized into three sections. The first is a series of lessons intended to teach students how to use microscopes. The second corresponds to chapter 2 of the textbook and introduces students to the cell and its structure. The third relates to cell processes.

While these activities are written with a sequence in mind, teachers may modify different lessons and activities to meet the needs of the students and time constraints. Time for assessment, vocabulary, reading, reviewing concepts, and discussing homework is not included.


Table of Contents

Microscope Use (2 weeks)
Lesson 1 Cartwheels (1 day)
Water Lenses
Lesson 2 The Compound Microscope (4+ days)
My Microscope Study Sheet
Microscope Rules for a Reason
Microscope License
Lesson 3 How Big Is It? (1 days)

Lesson 4 Give Me An "e" (1-2 days)
Fake or Counterfeit?
Lesson 5 Sew Long (1 days)

Lesson 6 Sounds Fishy to Me (1 days)
Lab Helper (Slide Organize)

Cell Structure (2 weeks)
Lesson 7 Water, Water Everywhere (2 days)
How to Label Microscope Diagrams
Lesson 8 Greensleeves (1 day)

Lesson 9 Onion Rings (1 day)
Lesson 10 Don't Be Cheeky (3+ days)
Cell Project
Metaphors: More Cell Project Practice

Cell Processes (1 week)
Lesson 11 Diffusion (2 day)
Lab Handout ­ Screen Play
Lesson 12 Mitosis (2 days)

Curriculum Resources
Teaching Cartoon Project (Assessment Strategy)
Learning Logs and Journaling
Show Don't Tell!

Materials Provided in Kit

1 bottle of iodine
1 box of plastic microscope slides (144)
1 box of plastic cover slips (100)
8 well slides
2 prepared, stained slides of onion root tip showing mitosis
1 pad of lens paper
3 medicine droppers
box of toothpicks
cornstarch
plastic bags
thread
"The Microscope Book" by Levine & Johnstone