Cell theory explores how cells make up organisms. Modern cell theory explains the structure, organization, and function of cells. Cell theory is a basic concept of biology and serves as a building block for the rest of the information in a biology course. The problem is, that it can get boring for students. The lessons below are interactive and interesting. They teach students about cell theory using microscopes, videos, and lab stations. Here are 10 cell theory activities that teachers and students will love!
1. Cell Theory Interactive Notebook
The interactive notebook is a great way to engage learners and involve them in the lesson. For the interactive notebook, students use note-taking strategies and creativity to keep track of information about cell theory. The notebook involves inquiry, doodle notes, and bell ringer activities.
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2. Cell Games
Students love any lesson that involves gamification. This website has animal cell games, plant cell games, and bacteria cell games. Students test their knowledge interactively in a big group, with partners, or individually.
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3. Play Cell Command
Invite your kids to complete these practice quizzes after taking them through all the awesome background information that can be found on this site. Have them pair up and work together with their partners to answer the questions or they can even give it a go alone if they’re up for the challenge!
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4. Watch a TedTalk
TedTalks are a great use of instructional time. The TedTalk titled “The Wacky History of Cell Theory”, reviews the concepts related to the intriguing history of cell theory. Lauren Royal-Woods narrates an animated depiction of the history that helps students understand cell theory.
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5. Lab Stations
Lab stations are a great way to get the kids moving around the classroom. Each station has an activity that promotes inquiry to help students understand cell theory. Each of the stations on this website is easy to set up and encourages hands-on learning.
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6. Cells Foldable
This activity is a great way to make information about the different types of cells more engaging for learners. Students create a foldable that includes pictures to compare animal and plant cells. Each foldable includes a picture as well as a description of the cell process.
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7. Build-a-Cell
This is a drag-and-drop game that students will love. The game is online and kids use the tools to create a cell. Students will drag each part of the organelle over to create the whole cell. This is a visual interactive game that helps students learn about cell components.
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8. Shrinky Dink Cell Models
This is a crafty activity that helps teach students about cell theory. For this project, kids use colored pencils to create their model of a cell on a shrinky dink. The shrinky dink is placed in the oven to see their creation come to life!
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9. Introduction to Cells: The Grand Tour
This YouTube video is a great way to start a cell unit. This video compares prokaryote cells and eukaryote cells as well as summarizes cell theory. The video also delves into plant cells and animal cells to give a well-rounded introduction to a cell unit.
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10. Cell Theory WebQuest
There are so many WebQuest options available, but this one is well-rounded and engaging. Students must use WebQuest to decide which scientist should win the Nobel Peace prize. As students research each scientist, they also answer questions about cell theory.
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