Cells

Linda M. Teel
School Library Journal
January 2010

Live-action telescopic footage, graphic demonstrations, and animation are combined to introduce cells. The program begins with a brief history of the discoveries that led to the formation of the cell theory, including the work of scientists such as Robert Hooke, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and Rudolf Virchow. Common cell parts, types of cells, the differences between animal and plant cells, and cell activities such as reproduction and energy conversion are covered in an easy-to-understand manner. Several interactive sections provide students with the opportunity to observe and respond to questions posed by the narrator. The production concludes with a summary and an assessment consisting of simple fill-in-the-blank questions. The teacher's guide includes an introduction to the program, the script, a pre- and post-test, activity sheets, National Standards correlations, and student learning objectives. A good introduction to a unit on cells