Unit Plan 4 (Grade 7 Science): Specialized Cells & Tissues

Focus: Explain how specialized cells form tissues with distinct functions, and how these tissues are organized into subsystems in the human body.

Grade Level: 7

Subject Area: Science (Life Science — Cells to Systems)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students extend their understanding of cells as basic units of life by exploring how specialized cells work together to form tissues, and how tissues build organs and subsystems in the body. Using microscope images, diagrams, and simple investigations, students compare different cell types (e.g., muscle, nerve, blood, epithelial) and connect their structures to their functions. They then develop arguments showing that the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells, addressing MS-LS1-1 and MS-LS1-3.

Essential Questions

• How do specialized cells differ from one another, and why do organisms need these differences?
• How do groups of cells form tissues, and how do tissues build organs and subsystems in the body?
• In what ways is the human body a system of interacting subsystems made of cells?
• What evidence can we use to argue that living things are made of cells and that body systems are built from groups of cells working together?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Observe and/or analyze images of different cell types (e.g., muscle, nerve, blood, epithelial) and describe how their structures relate to their functions.
2. Explain, using models or diagrams, how specialized cells group together to form tissues, and how tissues form organs and subsystems.
3. Construct a cell–tissue–organ–system model (e.g., for the circulatory or digestive subsystem) showing how levels of organization connect.
4. Use evidence from observations, texts, and diagrams to support the claim that the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
5. Write or present an argument (CER) that connects MS-LS1-1 (all living things are made of cells) with MS-LS1-3 (the body as interacting subsystems built from cells).

Standards Alignment — 7th Grade (NGSS-based custom)

• MS-LS1-1 — Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells, either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
  • Here, students investigate different specialized cell types and show that organisms are made of many cells with different structures and roles.
• MS-LS1-3 — Use arguments supported by evidence for how the body is a system of interacting subsystems composed of groups of cells.
  • Students construct models and arguments showing how cells → tissues → organs → subsystems (e.g., circulatory, digestive).

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can describe how specialized cells (like muscle or nerve cells) look and what they do.
• I can explain how cells group together to form tissues, and how tissues form organs and subsystems.
• I can make a diagram or model that shows the levels of organization from cell to body system.
• I can use evidence (pictures, readings, diagrams) to argue that the human body is made of cells that form interacting subsystems.
• I can write a claim–evidence–reasoning argument connecting cell structure and body systems.