Seventh Grade Project on Plant & Animal Cells
- Create, write and illustrate a children's book with pictures of cells and the organisms they belong to. Any student who can thoroughly teach someone else about plant and animal cells demonstrates that they know the topic well. Keep in mind that very young children have no concept of cells and how they work, so explaining cell function and how they come together to create parts of plants and animals is crucial. The first step in any project is conducting research, so, collecting children's books similar to the one you'll be creating is a great place to start.
- Organize the steps in the project, such as research, writing and illustration. Clarify with the teacher which items are required for the finished project. Children in different age groups respond to different types of books. Some authors write in the first person (as though they are a plant or animal cell) and others choose to personify characters to make them more kid friendly. Choose the children's book style most appropriate for your target age group.
- Select a storyline that will include basic information about plant and animal cells, including their appearance, function and life-cycle. Keep in mind that information in a children's story is not only teaching readers, but also demonstrating the writer's level of knowledge, so it should be accurate and precise. Make sure key vocabulary is included as well. Younger children may not even understand words like "cell" so it may be helpful to explain these terms in a glossary in the back of the book.
- The finished product should appear as much like an actual published children's book as possible. You can purchase blank board books, which are blank hard cover books with pages that you can write on and a cover you can draw on. There are also websites that publish self-created books. Include pictures of plant and animal cells on a microscopic level, as well when they come together in their larger forms. Take time to illustrate and color your own pictures rather than printing pictures from the internet. Even if you don't have the best drawing skills, drawing them yourself will give the finished project a more personal touch.