During PSII, I assigned a three part assignment to help students learn and remember all the different organelles involved in a cell's functioning. This assignment was intended to help students draw comparisons of organelle functions with common things. Below is a copy of the three part assignment.
Student feedback suggested that this assignment was very helpful and effective. Many students commented that this assignment was fun and they "remembered each organelles and their function for a cell because of this assignment." Students commented that "by putting in creative work, remembering was easy."
Students were extremely engaged during this assignment knowing that they were going to construct a cell model out of pizza at the end. Pairing food with learning is always effective for student learning!
Student feedback suggested that this assignment was very helpful and effective. Many students commented that this assignment was fun and they "remembered each organelles and their function for a cell because of this assignment." Students commented that "by putting in creative work, remembering was easy."
Students were extremely engaged during this assignment knowing that they were going to construct a cell model out of pizza at the end. Pairing food with learning is always effective for student learning!
Student exemplar.
Student exemplar.
Below is a segment of a students write up for the third part of this assignment:
“The inner workings of a cell function a lot like a community does. The nucleus is the organelle that contains DNA (genetic material) and directs all of the cellular activities. The nucleus is like the mayor’s office and/or town hall, because it directs and controls all the activity that goes on in the town and stores town records. The nuclear envelope is a double layered membrane that separates the nuclear contents from the cytoplasm. It functions like security guards at the mayors office, because they protect all the inner workings of the mayors office and keeps anything that is not supposed to enter out. The cellular membrane is a structure that surrounds a cell and regulates the passage of materials between the cell and its environment. The cell membrane acts like the town limits; it allows for passage in and out of the town, but keeps everything inside separated from the outside. Mitochondria is an organelle that performs cellular respiration (transforms energy and then creates waste). The mitochondria acts like the power plant of a cell; the power plant provides all other parts of the community with energy. The lysosomes are an organelle containing enzymes that digest food, distort bacteria or break down organelles containing a nucleus. Lysosomes function similar to the waste management facility. Waste management helps rid the town of waste.”
Below is a segment of a students write up for the third part of this assignment:
“The inner workings of a cell function a lot like a community does. The nucleus is the organelle that contains DNA (genetic material) and directs all of the cellular activities. The nucleus is like the mayor’s office and/or town hall, because it directs and controls all the activity that goes on in the town and stores town records. The nuclear envelope is a double layered membrane that separates the nuclear contents from the cytoplasm. It functions like security guards at the mayors office, because they protect all the inner workings of the mayors office and keeps anything that is not supposed to enter out. The cellular membrane is a structure that surrounds a cell and regulates the passage of materials between the cell and its environment. The cell membrane acts like the town limits; it allows for passage in and out of the town, but keeps everything inside separated from the outside. Mitochondria is an organelle that performs cellular respiration (transforms energy and then creates waste). The mitochondria acts like the power plant of a cell; the power plant provides all other parts of the community with energy. The lysosomes are an organelle containing enzymes that digest food, distort bacteria or break down organelles containing a nucleus. Lysosomes function similar to the waste management facility. Waste management helps rid the town of waste.”