I wanted my 7th graders to make cell models this school year, but I didn’t want everyone just making the same thing so I searched the internet for a variety of labeled pictures so that the students could make a variety of cell types.
Bone CellAmoeba CellEuglena – single-celled Protist (with both plant and animal characteristics)Plasmodium Cells – protists that cause MalariaFat cells
If you don’t have any supplies for studying minerals, my experience suggests that the following mineral specimens and supplies provides you with the least amount of materials you need for hands-on activities.
Mineral Samples
I chose these three because you get a variety of mineral properties for low cost. Talc is a cheap replacement for graphite and fluorite can work in place of hematite for a middle level hardness, although its luster and streak are the same as quartz.
Mineral
Hardness
Streak
Luster
graphite
1.5-2
black
submetallic
red hematite
5-6
red-brown
earthy
quartz
7
white
glassy
Additional Supplies
white streak plates (Unglazed porcelain tiles) – sets are about 10 bucks
pennies
nails
steel butter knives (if allowed)
With these supplies your students can make observations and practice testing minerals for streak and hardness.