This lesson plan is for a 7th grade life science class on cell differentiation. Students will start with a journal prompt and video about how cells determine their function. Then, the teacher will perform a demonstration where students are assigned specialized cell types. Students will break into groups by cell type to research their cell's job on computers. Finally, students will sketch the differentiation process and describe their cell's specialized function in their journal for homework. The goal is for students to understand how stem cells become specialized body cells.

1. Lesson Plan Template Name ____________Ms. Russo__________
Grade Level ________7__________
Lesson Title _____Differentiation_____ Subject ______Life Science__
Date ____________________________________
I. SETTING THE STAGE
HCPS III STANDARDS
Benchmark SC.7.4.2 Describe the basic structure and function of various types of cells
Benchmark SC.7.4.3 Describe the levels of organization in an organism
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES
Condition
Performance
Criterion
(begin w/action verb)
In order to describe the function of specialized cells, SWBAT draw a sketch illustrating the steps of cell differentiation
In order to understand the function of cells, SWBAT explain the specialized job of at least one type of body cell
ANTICIPATORY SET (Warm-Up or Bell Work)
(Time ______10 mins_________)
Students will answer following journal prompt - > One of the most
important questions kids get asked is “what do you want to be when you
grow up?” How do you think cells figure out what they will be when they
„grow‟ up. For example, how does a blood cell become a blood cell, a
skin cell become a skin cell, etc?
AGENDA ITEMS POSTED ON FRONT BOARD
1. Ready, Set, Go - Journal and Video Short
2. Cell Demo
3. What‟s Your Job?
4. Journal Close
Students will watch video short and class will discuss what gives a stem
cell „superpowers?‟
II. ACQUISITION
1. SAY (Explanation) (Time ______30
mins______)
Demo + PPT Overview (see Cell
Differentiation Demo handout and
Differentiation PPT):
SEE (Modeling)
DO (Structured Practice)
Show students how they are expected to behave
as demo is acted out.
Work with students to perform demonstration

2. Today you will be working with your teacher to
perform a demonstration of how a cell becomes
specialized as a specific type of cell. All
students need to pay close attention to the
demonstration because you will need to sketch
these steps at the end of class. Make sure you
follow instructions and listen for teacher's
transition signals. By the end of this activity
you will be assigned as a specialized type of
cell. Make sure you remember what type of cell
you are because it will relate to other activities
as well. After our demo, you will return to your
seats and we will be reviewing a few slides that
talk about the specific jobs your cells do.
2. SAY (Explanation) (Time ______35
mins______)
SEE (Modeling)
You will break into partners with another
Demo how graphic organizer should look.
student who is the same cell type as you and
will work together at a computer workstation to
learn about your cell's job. Click on the url
corresponding to your cell type and review the
information provided. Then, fill out your
graphic organizer listing your cell type, subtype,
function, and something it reminds you of.
DO (Structured Practice)
Have students begin.
III. CONSOLIDATION
GUIDED PRACTICE if applicable (Time _____________)
Monitor students to make sure they are extracting the necessary information from their website activity.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Assessment of Learning) if applicable (Time _____________)
Graphic organizer, journal close
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (Assessment of Learning) if applicable (Time _____________)

3. N/A
CLOSURE if applicable (Time ______5_______)
Student will answer journal close questions which is their entrance slip
for following class. Students must at least write questions down so they
can answer for homework. If time permits, students can work on at end
of class and/or class can discuss.
1. Draw a sketch of how a cell differentiates, listing the stages in order
beginning with fertilized egg and ending with differentiation
2. In two sentences, describe the specialized job that your cell does
MATERIALS: PPT, Computer Workstations, Graphic Organizer
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE if applicable