2019 Bostitch Classroom Grant Winner: Kelsey Cronmiller

2019 Bostitch Classroom Grant Winner: Kelsey Cronmiller

We’re so excited to share that one of the two winners of the Bostitch Creativity in the Classroom Grant is Ms. Kelsey Cronmiller! Her lesson plan, which pairs art with technology to teach students about cell organelles, won her the grant for classroom supplies for her students.

About Ms. Cronmiller

Located at Sierra Preparatory Academy in Santa Ana, California, Ms. Cronmiller is a teacher to curious 6th graders. More specifically, she teaches her children the subject of science. Based on the lesson plan below, we think she's doing an amazing job!

The Winning Lesson Plan

Cell Organelles Project - 6th Grade Science

Learning Objective: Students will use art and technology to (1) identify organelles of the cell, (2) their functions, and (3) how they interact to keep the cell alive. (4) Students will also describe the small size of cells using academic vocabulary [micro, microscopic].

Next Generation Science Standard: MS-LS1-2, Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and ways the parts of the cells contribute to the function.

Link to Sample: Cell Organelles

PART A – Cell Artwork (arts integration) – 30 Points

Watercolor Cells

Cover your watercolor paper in watercolor pigment. Paint quickly! Keep the paper wet for best results.

After covering the entire paper in color, use Q-tips and rubbing alcohol to create “cells” on your artwork.

Let your watercolor cells dry.

Cell Color-coding

Your teacher will give you a cell organelles coloring page.

Color-code the cell organelles according to the key on the given coloring page.

Magnifying Glass

Choose a colored construction paper for your magnifying glass.

Use a magnifying glass template to trace the shape, which you will then cut out.

Put it Together

Cut out and glue your color-coded cell onto your magnifying glass, then glue that onto your cells watercolor paper.

Remember to write your name and class period on the back.

PART B – Thinglink (technology integration) – 70 Points

  • Go to https://www.thinglink.com
    • Login with your Google account.
    • Click on [the create button]. Upload an image of your cell artwork.
  • Title your project: Cell Organelles by (your name)
  • Add 10 buttons to your Thinglink to demonstrate your understanding of cells and organelles. You must have a button for the following:
    1. Button 1 (5pts): Label and #hashtag for cytoplasm.
    2. Button 2 (5pts): Label and #hashtag for nucleus.
    3. Button 3 (5pts): Label and #hashtag for cell membrane.
    4. Button 4 (5pts): Label and #hashtag for mitochondria.
    5. Button 5 (10pts): Complete these sentences: “Micro means ____. This relates to cells because_____. My art shows this by_____.”
    6. Button 6 (10pts): Complete the sentence: "The nucleus helps the mitochondria by_____, and the mitochondria helps the nucleus by_____."
    7. Button 7 (10pts): Complete these sentences: “If one of the organelles stopped working inside the cell then_____. For example, if the _____ stopped working then_____.”
    8. Button 8 (10pts): Short answer - What might happen if the cell membrane did not exist? “If the cell membrane did not exist then_____."
    9. Button 9 (5pts): Add one photo of REAL cells
    10. Button 10 (5pts): Add one video link about cells and their organelles
  • When done, save the image and share the link to Google Classroom.
  • Remember to also turn in completed artwork so that it may be put on display at school for students, parents, and teachers to see your hard work!

 

We loved this lesson plan because it teaches kids about cells in a visual and creative way for them to better understand. It’s fun yet requires strong student focus, which is great for any classroom project! Congrats, Ms. Cronmiller!

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