Grade 6 Science Worksheet: Cells — The Building Blocks of Life

Student Task

• Hand out after the teacher has introduced cell theory and walked through both cell diagrams (using the companion PowerPoint or Lesson Plan). Students complete Parts A–C as guided/pair practice and Parts D–E independently. Use the included checklist so students can self-check before submitting.

Classroom Use

• Have students compare their Part C matching answers with a partner before checking the key.
• Use Part E (unicellular/multicellular) as a quick stand-up quiz: read out each organism and have students point left/right for their answer.

Differentiation

Support: Use the blank (unlabeled) diagram versions with a shortened word bank of 3–4 terms instead of all 5–7; let students work in pairs; provide the Flashcards as a matching aid; accept short-phrase answers on open-ended questions.

Extension: Ask students to explain why red blood cells (which lose their nucleus as they mature) can still be called cells; have students research one unicellular organism not covered in class; challenge students to label a cell diagram from memory with no word bank at all.

Answer Key & Assessment

Collect the completed worksheet as a formative check. The included answer key allows quick marking of Parts A–D; use the Grading Rubric for Part E's written response.

Learning Objectives

• State that all living things are made of cells, and that the cell is the smallest unit of life (cell theory).
• Name the main parts of a cell — cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and vacuole — and describe what each part does.
• Compare a plant cell and an animal cell, and identify the three parts found only in plant cells (cell wall, chloroplast, large central vacuole).
• Classify a living thing as unicellular (one cell) or multicellular (many cells), with an example of each.

Teacher Tips

The word "cell" can confuse EFL/ESL learners because in many languages a similar-sounding word means a prison cell or a mobile phone. Before starting, quickly clarify that today's "cell" is a science word for a living building block — not a room or a device. This one clarification prevents confusion for the rest of the lesson.

What's Included

• 3-page student worksheet (editable DOCX, print-ready PDF)
• Answer key (editable DOCX, print-ready PDF) — 2 pages

Additional Files

• Grade 6 Science Worksheet: Cells (DOCX)
• Answer Key (PDF)

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