To Design Instruction, Option D:
Cell Comparisons (Grades 6-8)

Science for All Americans and
Benchmarks for Science Literacy or appropriate excerpts

Chart paper
Markers
Blank transparencies

TRANSPARENCIES:
Central Benchmark: Cell Comparisons
Strand Map: Cells as Systems
Exploring Project 2061 Tools-5C
Principles for Lessons
Principles of Effective Learning and Teaching
Inquiry and Scientific Values
Steps in Designing Instruction

HANDOUTS:
Lesson Plan: Cell Comparisons (6-8)
Strand Map: Cells as Systems
Benchmarks for Lesson Plan: Cell Comparisons (6-8)
Steps in Designing Instruction
CELLS Through the Lens of Benchmarks: Reflections While Using a New Tool

For the class:
Aquarium ecosystem containing goldfish, snails, and elodea plants
Whole onion plant including stems (If you can find a whole red onion plant to use, you could avoid using a stain.)
Several small beakers containing water and a dropper
Several small beakers of dilute IKI solution for staining slides
Sentence strip containing the statement, "All living things are made of cells."
Cube made of detachable Lego toys

For each group of three students:
Set of prepared slides of cells of human skin, skeletal muscle, nerves, and blood
Set of prepared slides of nerve cells from a frog, a bird, a cat, and a human (slides showing muscle cells could also be used)
Microscope

For each student:
Elodea leaf from aquarium ecosystem
Microscope slides
Cover slips
Goggles
Crayons

HANDOUTS:
Laboratory Report Sheets #1, #2, and #3