Building Cell Models

This past week in Science, the kids have been learning about animal cells.  We have leaned that all living things are made of millions and millions microscopic cells, and that they are the "building blocks of life."  We learned that cells have parts called "organelles" that have special jobs, much like the organs inside our own bodies.  Here's a diagram from our Science text book:

Yesterday, we made models of cells to help us remember some of the names of the organelles, and maybe even some of their functions.  Here's what we used to represent the parts:

cell membrane - cookie and ziploc baggie
nucleus (the "brain" of the cell) - gumdrop
mitochondria (energy producers) - gummi worm
vacuoles (waste collectors) - raisins
cytoplasm (jelly-like substance in which organelles are located) - frosting

I'm not entirely certain that the Science concepts sunk in once the cookies and frosting were brought out, but I'm hopeful.  There is one way for you to find out!  Here is the quiz that I'm going to surprise them with on Monday:

Cell Quiz

Feel free to download it and go over it with your 4th grader.  There's nothing better than a little preparation!

In the mean time, here are some pictures that I snapped during class.  Enjoy!

Cooper applies the cytoplasm.

Mayanna cuts her mitochondria in half.

Brett places his mitochondria in the cytoplasm.

Zach's finished cell.

Paige is proud of her work!

Mackenzey's cell is good enough to eat!

Cora is pleased with her results!