Lesson Ideas

Cells

Bet you didn’t know you had building blocks! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to your body’s most basic parts: cells. You’ll learn what cells are, exactly how tiny they are, and how and where they live. Find out the parts and structures of a typical cell, like the cell membrane, nucleus, and mitochondria. Discover the different functions cells can carry out and the different ways they can look. You’ll also see how cells can divide and multiply to help you grow. Cells certainly are hard little workers!

Cell Division Process Lesson Plan: Control of the Cell Cycle Game

This lesson plan, adaptable for grades 3-8, challenges students to use what they know about cell division to play a game in which they control cell division from inside a cell’s nucleus. They must make sure that each stage of the cell cycle cycle happens in the correct order and that the cell has successfully replicated its genetic material at specific checkpoints along the way.  If they make more than three mistakes during one cell division, the cell is destroyed and they have to start again. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Organs and Body Systems Lesson Plan: The Guts and Bolts Game

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades 6-8, students use BrainPOP resources to explore the primary functions of various body systems. Students will also explore the parts of each system and their respective roles through a collaborative role play and an online simulation during game play. In addition, students will construct a prototype of a body system using real-world objects. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »

Science Fair Lesson Plan: Planning Projects with BrainPOP and BrainPOP Jr.

In this lesson plan, which is adaptable for grades K-12, students use BrainPOP and/or BrainPOP Jr. resources to learn about planning projects when they create a science fair exhibit.  They will select their topic, explore the criteria for planning, and design a compelling and realistic experiment based on their topic. This lesson plan is aligned to Common Core State Standards.  See more »
Comments
  • Sonia Simpson

    Cell Division Process Lesson Plan: Control of the Cell Cycle Game… This is a simple lesson idea but seems effective. Learn: watch the movie; Assimilate new info: make a map; Apply new knowledge: play the game. I like it! Only thing is the science standards are wrong. The ones listed are for solar system.

  • Andrea Derrick

    I love the Guts and Bolts activity! In viewing the lesson plan, I specifically like the ping pong ball activity that is suggested for use before playing the online game. Students, especially students with special needs, often respond well to learning activities that allow them to get up and move around. This is a great tactile/kinesthetic learning opportunity, wth collaboration and problem solving built in! I will be suggesting this activity and the Guts and Bolts game to my 7th grade teachers!