Science is in full swing in Mrs. Dupree’s 5th grade classroom at Lake Oconee Academy, where students jumped right back into learning after the holiday break with an engaging and hands-on exploration of plant and animal cells.
To begin the unit, students reviewed the parts of a cell and their functions, then deepened their understanding by comparing a cell to a town at work. Through this creative analogy, each cell structure took on an important real-world role. The nucleus became the government building, keeping everything organized. The endoplasmic reticulum acted as a travel agency, moving materials throughout the cell. Chloroplasts were compared to greenhouses, using sunlight to produce food for plant cells. Mitochondria served as grocery stores, providing energy to keep everything running. “Connecting cell parts to real-life places helps students truly understand how everything works together,” said Mrs. Dupree. “When they can visualize it and build it themselves, the learning really sticks.”
Other comparisons included ribosomes as factories producing proteins; Golgi bodies as post offices packaging and sending materials; vacuoles as storage units; and the cell membrane as a police station, regulating what enters and exits the cell. These thoughtful connections helped students visualize how each part works together to keep a cell functioning properly.
Students then took their learning even further by designing their own creative “cell cities.” From airports and hospitals to safaris and entire communities, each project reflected both imagination and a strong grasp of scientific concepts. The week concluded with students building hands-on plant cell models that combined creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. “I liked making the cell city because it helped me remember what each part does,” said Kennedy Lott. “My favorite part was learning about the nucleus because, it’s basically the most important part.”
This type of interactive learning is a hallmark of the LOA classroom experience where students are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and make meaningful connections. Kudos to our 5th grade teachers and scientists for their curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for discovery