Strengthening Teaching and Learning of Cells, Key Stage Three National Strategy - Classroom Materials

This is one of a suite of continuing professional development (CPD) units from the Department of Education covering the five ‘key ideas’ at Key Stage Three (cells, interdependence, particles, forces and energy). It links with the 2002 Framework for teaching Science: Years Seven, Eight and Nine and builds on ideas within the Misconceptions in Key Stage Three Science CPD unit.

Context
This CPD unit offers background information and practical suggestions to support classroom practice when teaching about cells. The unit gives guidance for the teaching of cells from a practical perspective as well as considering common misconceptions which students may have. The sessions address ideas about organisation within organisms, cell specialisation and more complex processes such as digestion, respiration and photosynthesis. The unit also considers how models and modelling support students with these abstract concepts. The final session explores progression issues in the teaching of cells, challenging participants to construct a teaching sequence to support good student understanding of cells.

Development
This CPD unit is designed to be delivered to teachers wishing to improve their teaching of the cells ‘key idea’. It can be delivered as a single day's CPD or as five separate CPD sessions of 45 to 70 minutes. It is particularly useful for non-specialist teachers wishing to improve their subject knowledge and pedagogy. It is also useful for subject specialists to clarify their thinking about teaching cells.

Components
The materials consist of separate tutor notes, participants’ notes, a presentation and a short video clip about digestion. Additional resources include cell, organ and system diagrams, organ cards and key messages.
The five sessions are entitled:
• Session 1: What are cells? An overview
• Session 2: Cells to systems
• Session 3: Cells: digestion, enzyme reactions and the circulatory system
• Session 4: Cells: respiration, photosynthesis and reproduction
• Session 5: Progression in teaching about cells