Total Exceeds
Expectations Expectations
20-19
Design An object is placed in the diorama similarly
to the location of the object in an actual cell
Objects are chosen with considerable
creativity to best match their cellular
functions
Knowledge Objects are chosen according to the function
of the organelle in the cell.
An object choice should be justifiable
according to the function.
Presentation The objects placed in the diorama are
secured tightly and arranged “neatly”
Presenter is able to easily reference an
object and provide an explanation without
reading directly from the card
Explanation Explanations are legible and communicate
ideas effectively in bulletpoints OR full
sentences
Each Organelle is paired with a card
explaining the relationship between the
object and the function of the real organelle
Meets
Expectations
18-16
An object is placed in the diorama
similarly to the location of the object in
an actual cell or one or two objects are
misplaced
Objects are chosen with some
creativity
Objects are chosen according to the
function of the organelle in the cell
with one or two organelles missing or
incorrect
An object choice should be justifiable
according to the function with one or
two objects with no explanation
The objects placed in the diorama are
secured tightly and few objects are
damaged or “Falling off"
Presenter is able to reference an object
and provide an explanation
Explanations are mostly legible and
communicate ideas effectively
Most Organelles are paired with a card
explaining the relationship between
the object and the function of the real
organelle
Approaches
Meet Expectations
15-13
An object is placed in the diorama
similarly to the location of the object in an
actual cell but three or more objects are
misplaced
Objects seem to run in line with most
other dioramas to the students in the class
Objects are chosen according to the
function of the organelle in the cell with
three or more organelles missing or
incorrect
An object choice should be justifiable
according to the function with three or
more objects with no explanation
The objects placed in the diorama are
secured with some objects pasted sloppily
but the intention is clear
Presenter searches for the object and
reads directly from the card without
looking up
Diorama is late
Explanations are legible and communicate
ideas somewhat effectively with three or
more mistakes in the explanation
Some Organelles have an explanation for
the relationship between the object and
the function of the real organelle on some
medium
Does Not Comments and
Subtotals
12-0
Objects are placed randomly throughout
the diorama
Subtotal: ____
Design seems to be a direct copy of
another student’s
Objects are not chosen according to the
function of the organelle in the cell
Subtotal: ____
An object choice is not justifiable
according to the function
The objects are loosely placed in the
diorama and move freely
Presenter does not appear to be aware
Subtotal: ____
of the layout of their diorama or the
function of the objects in it
Diorama is late in addition to the above
issues
Explanations are not legible, incorrect or
non existent
Name:__________________ Date:____________

Student Guide: Cell Diorama

You will create a diorama of a plant or animal cell using household

objects. Each part of the cell is called an “organelle.” The Diorama will
include all of the fill-in parts of the cell depicted on the worksheet “Plant
Cell” or “Animal Cell” with unique objects or pictures. With each
“organelle,” you will include an explanation of its function and a picture of
the real organelle that is clearly visible and legible to an observer.

The household objects or pictures you choose will be related to the

function of the organelle. For example, if a certain organelle is used as
storage, what household object could be used to store food? They do NOT
need to look exactly like the real organelles, as the focus is on function.

You will attach a card to each household object with an explanation of

the organelle’s real function, why you chose this object to represent it, and
a picture of the real organelle.

The final draft should include:

Household objects to represent function of organelles

Glued, taped or stapled to a secure surface
Pictures of objects are acceptable
Explanation cards
Picture of the real organelle
Description of the function of the organelle
Reasoning behind using the object to represent function
The following list of organelles should be represented:

● All organelles of a plant or animal ● Plant cell only

cell ○ Vacuole
○ Cell membrane ■ Tonoplast
○ Vacuole ■ Crystal
○ Golgi Complex ○ Plastids
○ Ribosome ■ Chloroplast
○ Endoplasmic Reticulum ■ Leucoplast
○ Mitochondrion ■ Chromoplast
○ Microtubule ○ Cell Wall
○ Microfilament ○ Plasmodesma
○ Microbody ● Animal Cell Only:
○ Hyaloplasm ○ Centriole
○ Nucleus ○ Lysosome

Presentation:
On the date of the presentation, you may bring in the diorama and
place it on the back wall of the classroom. If you choose not to present in
front of the class, the explanation cards will need to sufficiently explain your
decision making in your place.
Students will gallery walk to look at the various dioramas. Rate the student
presentations with the rubric given at the beginning of the project as well as
your own.