Cells Writing Prompts - SIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Cells Writing Prompts

Topics Included: 1. Scientific Method- Characteristics of Life 2. Cell Size 3. Levels of Organization 4. Cell Structure and Function 5. Plant vs. Animal Cells 6. Stomata 7. Tonicity 8. Cellular Respiration 9. Mitosis 10. Mitochondria

Why use writing prompts in Science? This past year I taught a biology class of entirely ELL students. In order to get these students to pass the state language proficiency test, I needed strategies to help increase their literacy skills. I created a set of writing prompts with the goal of getting my students to think about scientific phenomena and be able to write about it. I used these prompts as homework before the content was taught. The goal wasn't for students to correctly describe the science behind the concept, but just to get them thinking and writing. I would have students read their paragraphs aloud when they came to class the next day. Reading the paragraphs out loud is not only a great way to work on fluency and build vocabulary, but also helps uncover misconceptions and start classroom conversations. Throughout the course of the year I saw my students writing skills and confidence increase.

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Cells Writing Prompt #1 Your brother is arguing that popcorn kernels are nonliving things. You think they are living. List all the characteristics that you think make the popcorn kernels living. How could you prove it? Design an experiment to test if the popcorn is alive or not.

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Cells Writing Prompt #2 Cells are really small, and can only be seen with the help of a microscope. We have trillions of cells in the human body. Wouldn't it be easier to have 100 large cells instead of trillions of tiny cells? Explain why you think it is important that cells are small.

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Cells Writing Prompt #3 Multicellular organisms have many different levels of organization within them. Examine the diagram below.

Can you give an example of each level? (Name an example of a type of cell, a type of tissue, a type of organ, etc.) Do you think all living things have the same levels of organization as humans? Explain.

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Cells Writing Prompt #4 Cells in your body come in many different shapes and sizes. Examine the image below. Why do you think cells are shaped differently? Give specific examples. (For example, red blood cells are round because....)

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Cells Writing Prompt #5 Examine the two images below. Predict which image you think is of plant cells, and which image is of animal cells. How did you come up with your answer? Explain.

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Cells Writing Prompt #6 Stomata are tiny openings on the underside of leaves. They open and close to allow gases such as carbon dioxide and oxygen to enter and exit the leaf cells. If you were a desert plant, what time of day would you want to open your stomata? Explain your reasoning.

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Cells Writing Prompt #7 If you have a swollen sore throat, your Mom might tell you to gargle a salt water solution. Why does the salt water help your sore throat feel better? (What does the salt do to the cells in your throat?) Why do you think it is important to spit out the salt water, and not swallow it?

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