Blended Learning Lesson Plan

Lesson Title:

Objectives:
Students will be able to understand life and levels of organization within organisms.
Students will be able to develop and use models to explain cells and their structures.
State Standards: 7.L.3A.3 Develop and use models to explain how the relevant structures
within cells (including cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts,
lysosomes, and vacuoles) function to support the life of plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
7.L.3A.1 Obtain and communicate information to support claims that (1) organisms are made of
one or more cells, (2) cells are the basic unit of structure and function of organisms, and (3) cells
come only from existing cells.

7.L.3B. Conceptual Understanding: Multicellular organisms (including humans) are complex

systems with specialized cells that perform specific functions. Organs and organ systems are
composed of cells that function to serve the needs of cells which in turn serve the needs of the
organism.

Context: This lesson is being taught because it is the basis of many other biology lessons and
introduces students to the core parts of life. Before this lesson there will be an introduction to
cells and showing just how small they are, even though they are very important. Students
will(after this unit) be taking this knowledge with them into the next stage of biology which is
the body systems and how these cells play a role in that.

Data: In this lesson students will be grouped based on an exit ticket from the previous class that
was about cells…like a prior knowledge quiz. The groupings will be mixed groups of students
that includes those that struggled with those that didn’t so they can work together and bounce
ideas around (especially beneficial for those that struggled). In this lesson there will be a mini
quiz after all the tasks are completed.
Materials:
Cell powerpoint- https://www.mclean.k12.ky.us/userfiles/1101/Classes/7165/Cell%20parts
%2009-0.ppt
Youtube video- https://youtu.be/8IlzKri08kk
Drawing app- https://apps.apple.com/app/adobe-illustrator-draw/id911156590?
irgwc=1&aosid=p239&cid=aos-us-aff-ir&irchannel=13631&irpid=221109&clickid=0q8zu-
RU7xyLWIUwUx0Mo3ZXUkB06HzOP1yvzc0&ircid=7613

CK12 reading- https://www.ck12.org/book/human-biology-lives-of-cells/section/3.1/

Gizmo- https://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?
method=cResource.dspView&ResourceID=450
Crossword puzzle- https://www.ducksters.com/games/crossword_puzzle/cell.php

Google forms will be used for the exit ticket

Detailed paragraphs from here on down.

Procedures:
Introduction (20 minutes): The lesson will begin by asking the students what they think
of when they think of something really small. The goal is for students to say something like an
ant or a pebble. From there I will direct them to think even smaller. Then we will begin talking
about cells and just how small they are. Students will be asked to think what they think are made
out of cells. There will be a powerpoint lesson (linked in materials). Students will have time to
talk about questions I ask them about the PowerPoint in their small groups. Each group will have
time to collaborate and come up with a group answer per question. I will then introduce the
students into the rest of the lesson with the next portion being the teacher directed one.

Teacher Directed (20 minutes): In this portion I will start by showing the students the
amoeba sisters video about cells. This talks about analyzing cells under a microscope which will
come into play later on in the lesson. However it also introduces the cells again in a more
entertaining way. The students will then be tasked with making a list of all of the cell parts they
can remember individually. Then the students will come together as a table and using a drawing
app such as adobe illustrator they will try to draw what they can of a cell.
 Collaborative (15 minutes): In their groups students will then take their previous
drawing and using the CK12 reading or other internet tools they will correct their drawings.
Students will attempt to name the functions for the cell parts as well not just their names.
Students will be doing so on the same digital app. Students will try to explain as a group how
these organelles relate to each other and how they help. Students may also draw the parts outside
of the cell and name their functions instead of drawing the actual cell itself.

Independent Digital (20minutes): Students will use explore learning and investigate
under a digital microscope both types of cell. They will then be responsible for answering a quiz
given by the teacher which asks the different functions of the cell organelle. Students will be able
to look back at their cells if they need but should try not to. They will also have to note when they
do so. The quiz will be completed via google classroom. If they have extra time students are
encouraged to complete a cell crossword puzzle. The puzzle will contain some things students
haven’t learned yet and will be offered as extra credit.

Closure (10minutes): Students will complete a final exit ticket on google classroom and
afterwards their score will gauge their homework for the night. If they score low and didn’t
finish the crossword that is their homework, if they did finish the crossword and they scored low
then the student will need to recomplete the cell drawings. If they finished everything then the
student has no homework but it is optional for the student to complete the crossword puzzle for
extra credit and practice. The exit ticket does not count towards their grade.

Rationale: You must have at least two paragraphs (one for each mandatory piece of
multimedia)
Cell powerpoint—This is a good introduction to the topic because it introduces the
students to the content they will be learning in this lesson. Students benefit from
visual and auditory media so when introducing a topic I find it important to have
some sort of visial media which I can explain as I go through. I believe this media
could be changed to be more appealing to the eye but overall I think that this will
benefit students as an introductory step into the lesson. This could be helpful for
students unable to hear very well so they have a visual aid still.
The youtube video- by the amoeba sisters is a great tool for students who enjoy
receiving their information in a more fun way. The amoeba sisters is a very light
hearted while still informational video series which gets students to pay attention.
This can be particularly useful with students who have short attention spans or
learning disabilities. The video touches on all of the important topics in a way the
students may have missed if they didn’t focus on the powerpoint.
Drawing app- This app is useful because students will be able to use it over and over
again as they draw more things. They can keep their work organized and share it
digitally with others and the teacher. Students that have a hard time keeping their
papers organized could benefit from this app. It is also a fun way to learn and
incorporate technology into the curriculum. Students will be able to go back and
edit their work as well as use different types of drawings. This app could be useful
for a student that has difficulties with holding a pencil as well as sensory issues
(sometimes coloring creates noises on the paper such as colored pencils and
markers).
CK12
This learning tool is useful for students who would like to do some more in depth
reading. This app allows students the opportunity to explore at their own pace and
get a deeper view into cells. It allows the student time to comprehend their reading
and then if they so choose, to answer a few questions. CK12 is a free app which can
also be used for many other topics as well. This could be useful for hearing impaired
students or those who just need a little bit more time to process information.
Gizmo
The gizmo is another excellent learning tool because it provides an excellent visual
interactive aid to students. It is a good blend between interactive and reading where
the student can pick the slide they want to investigate and then read about each
individual cell part. Gizmos also has many other science topics which is useful for
future lessons. The gizmos also can feature a worksheet to be paired with it if
needed. The gizmos are excellent for students who enjoy being on technology more
often. They are also a good learning tool for those with hearing impairments again
because they don’t require sound.

Crossword puzzle- The crossword puzzle is a resource I liked because it is

informational, challenging, as well as something that feels like a game to the
students. Students really enjoy games and fun activities and crosswords are known
to be so. It is also a good resource because it can be used in many topics as well. An
easily accessible, easily worked through project that will take up students extra time
without being a waste of it. The crossword could be good for those with troubled
motor skills as well (since it is online) as well as those who need more time to think
or are hearing impaired.

(Multimedia 2= App, website, video, educational game, song, podcast, etc.): Why this
piece of multimedia? How does it support student learning and your standards and
objectives? How do you know it is of high-quality? Evaluate this multimedia against the
LORI criteria in the 406: Evaluating Multimedia module to support your rationale. How
does this multimedia choice differentiate instruction for all learners (consider
differentiation and assistive technologies)?