Biology, 6-12
Why should children learn about cells? Cells are the building blocks of any living organism. A cell contains all the elements essential for life, and serve as a unit of classification. Cells can be specialized, and have specific functions. With the invention of the microscope, we were able to redefine biological classification based on cell structure. As a result, scientists have classified living organisms into 2 categories based on cellular structures: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
Prokaryotes are living organisms which are cells that do not have a membrane-bounded nuclei. They are primitive cells that can be unicellular, and are mostly bacteria. Other cells, such as plant or animal cells, are named Eukaryotes. Eukaryotic cells are complex multicellular cells that host a bounded-membrane nucleus. The plants and animals cells share many similar structural and functional molecules.
Children will be delighted to learn about cells. Our body is thought to have 100 trillions cells. Some cells are replaced every now and then (skin, muscles), and some remain for a lifetime (neurons).
Our newly created puzzles, Parts of a Plant Cell, and Part of an Animal Cell, aim to entice children’s interest, beyond paper materials. These 2D materials intuitively guide children through understanding the essential functions of cells.
3-part Cards Tray 
5-part Cards Holder
Materials
Wooden Puzzle 
Each puzzle (Plant & Animal) set consists of:
- One 10″ x 10″ wooden puzzle
- One control chart
- Wooden labels
Each nomenclature card (Plant & Animal) set consists of:
- 1 Booklet
- 1 Wall Chart
- 1 Control Chart
- 1 Reproducible Blackline Master
- 1 Reproducible Booklet (with cloze test)
- 18 three-part cards sets (plant cell, plant membrane, plant wall, chloroplast, cytoplasm, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, nucleolus, nucleus, ribosomes, vacuole, rough endoplasmic reticule, smooth endoplasmic reticule).
Optional:
Suggestions on how to use it
Our puzzles can be introduced in the context of biology study. They can be introduced with our science charts, Plant Kingdom Charts and Animal Kingdom Charts (Vertebrates, Invertebrates), our Leaf Characteristics (Cards, Chart), our Botany Classified Nomenclature Cards, or each time children learn about living organisms.
Prior to presenting the materials, remind children about the building blocks of living organisms: atoms, molecules, and cells. If possible, invite children to observe a plant cell using a microscope (for example onion skin). Look at pictures of plants. Children can observe linear geometrical shapes packed together. Explain that these are plant’s cells. They are surrounded by strong cell walls and cell membranes, which helps support the cells structure.
Onion Cell 
3D am Model
Introduce Parts of a Plant Cell puzzle, and get familiar with the different parts of the puzzle by placing and naming the wooden labels. Next, invite children to reconstruct the puzzle back in its receptacle, or on a mat. Children can use the Control Chart to locate each part of the cell. They can also label each part separately using the wooden label. This method allows them to isolate a part, and see what exactly defines the part. For example, the nucleolus and the nucleus can be separated and observed. Children can align the parts horizontally and do a size comparison. It will become obvious that a mitochondria is larger than a ribosome.
Parts of a Plant 
Wooden Labels
As the children are getting familiar with the parts of a plant cell, invite them to work with the Nomenclature Cards. Ideally, the adult will conduct the reading to allow children to fully absorb the knowledge. Auditory learners depend of this type of interactions. If a child isn’t engaged enough, offer to do co-reading by taking turns. Our nomenclature cards contain rich scientific vocabulary; younger readers will benefit from your assistance when reading as well. Another way to engage children is by reading from the Booklet, and have children lay out the cards on the mat, as you read, in a Montessori fashion.
Once the presentation is over, you can hang the Wallchart near the shelf where the materials are located. Children can be creative with the materials. The goal is to offer a kinesthetic experience by incorporating tactile materials in the learning.
Several options are available through our sets. After working with the puzzle, and using the nomenclature cards, children can use our reproducible materials. The nomenclature cards comes with a blackline diagram that chilldren can color and label. They can also self-assess using our reproducible booklet by reading the definitions, coloring the parts on the pictures, and completing the missing words.
Wallchart 
Blackline Diagram
Other activities
You may offer children the choice to create their own model of a cell by using playdough or a Styrofoam ball with labels. Children can also learn about other types of cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, fungal cells, or neurons. Throughout the year, encourage children to re-explore the materials as they study living organisms. This will ensure that they make the correlation between cellular studies and all living organisms.
We hope you enjoyed this post! Visit www.alisonsmontessori.com for more science puzzles!
