Today we made cell models out of play-dough and craft stuff. It was so fun! It all began yesterday when we walked past a Usborne book display at the Dr.'s office and of course I couldn't just walk past it. We left with, "First 1000 words in French", "100 Things to Spot in the Night Sky", and "The Complete Book of the Human Body". Isabel has been particularly curious about "the inside of the body" as she refers to it. I am very pleased with the book. Kelly had fun reading it with Belle last night and I was amazed this afternoon when I sat down to read it with her - she retained a lot of info. Her favorite organelle is the mitochondria which, she will tell you "gives energy".
While we were reading I remembered a cell modeling project from my school days and I asked Isabel if she'd like to make a model of a cell. I'm sure she had no idea what that meant but she enthusiastically said, "Yes!" I wasn't sure where to start so I googled "making a cell model". After reading a few different ideas and staring at diagrams I felt ready to start. We had a lot of fun and I suspect we will repeat this activity a few times. I usually struggle to "play" with play-dough but this activity was fun for both of us and now she's inspired and doing other things with all the craft stuff that is out on the table.
For anyone who wants to evaluate the accuracy of our model (I'm sure we made mistakes!) or who just wants to know, these are the parts of our cell models:
Cytoplasm - orange play-dough
Nucleus - red cotton ball surrounded by green play-dough (Isabel wanted her nucleolus to stay warm inside so it's not showing)
Endoplasmic Reticulum - long folds of blue play-dough
Golgi Complex - folds of yellow play-dough
Cytoskeleton - pipe cleaners
Lysomes - blue/light blue cotton balls
Ribosomes - small beads
Mitochondria - rotini noodles
While we were reading I remembered a cell modeling project from my school days and I asked Isabel if she'd like to make a model of a cell. I'm sure she had no idea what that meant but she enthusiastically said, "Yes!" I wasn't sure where to start so I googled "making a cell model". After reading a few different ideas and staring at diagrams I felt ready to start. We had a lot of fun and I suspect we will repeat this activity a few times. I usually struggle to "play" with play-dough but this activity was fun for both of us and now she's inspired and doing other things with all the craft stuff that is out on the table.
For anyone who wants to evaluate the accuracy of our model (I'm sure we made mistakes!) or who just wants to know, these are the parts of our cell models:
Cytoplasm - orange play-dough
Nucleus - red cotton ball surrounded by green play-dough (Isabel wanted her nucleolus to stay warm inside so it's not showing)
Endoplasmic Reticulum - long folds of blue play-dough
Golgi Complex - folds of yellow play-dough
Cytoskeleton - pipe cleaners
Lysomes - blue/light blue cotton balls
Ribosomes - small beads
Mitochondria - rotini noodles
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7 comments:
That's awesome! I love it! You are so creative!
That's awesome Jen! And such a great idea. It is SO you and Isabel. When we get to the "Lysomes Ribosomes and Mitchondria" point in our lives (if its really some sort of 'stage' you get to;)) then I will definitely be referring back to that entry to make my own model! You are such a good Mommy. :)
Yeah, I don't think it's a stage so much as a moment and I just happened to capitalize on it today. ;) I wonder sometimes how many "moments" I miss... These little ones are so full of interest and enthusiasm--it's really amazing.
Thanks for the idea. We will copy you and do this too! The girls are fascinated with the human body.
Can't wait to try this!
That is one beautiful cell model. How fun!
Wow, looks awesome! Sounds like a big day of learning and fun... I think I need a nap. ;)
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