Cells

Last week in Science the kids learned about cells. We started by reading a little bit about them, learning the difference between plant cells (usually rectangular in shape) and animal cells (usually circular in shape).

 Then the kids started their lab sheet.

We had to examine an unfertilized chicken egg (which is considered a single cell) with a magnifying glass. The kids learned that an egg shell has tiny holes to allow air and water to enter and leave.

We cracked open the egg and compared it to the egg diagram, finding the parts listed and labeling them.

 Both children colored in their diagrams according to the color chart on the lab sheet.

Jayden labeled the parts of his egg.

While working on the lab sheet we discussed the importance of the yolk; how it provides nutrients to the developing chick and would no longer be there once a fertilized egg hatched.

The handy dandy iPad proved to be very useful again today. (I have to keep writing about how we use it for school so that Juan doesn't realize that this iPad is really all for me, me, me!). I downloaded an app called iCell. iCell gave us 3D views of three different types of cells: animal, bacteria, and plant.

We were able to zoom in on specific parts of the cell, as well as rotate it to give us a full view of it from all angles.

We were also able to tap on each organelle and read a description about it. Each organelle came with a basic, intermediate, and advanced description.

It is a very basic app, pretty straightforward.

I think it's safe to say Jayden really liked it.