Both plant and animal cells share four key helpers. The nucleus is the boss that controls the cell. The cell membrane is the door that lets food in. The cytoplasm is the jelly that holds the parts. The mitochondria act like batteries to make power!

3. Plant Superpowers

Plants cannot walk around to buy food or find shelter. Instead, plant cells have a stiff cell wall to stand tall like a brick house. Plant cells also have green chloroplasts that use sunlight to cook their own food! Animals do not have these two parts.

Part A: Match the Cell Part

Use words from the bank

Nucleus Cell Wall Mitochondria Chloroplast

1. The boss or brain that controls the cell is the

2. The stiff outside layer found ONLY in plants is the

3. The battery that makes power and energy for the cell is the

4. The green kitchen that catches sunlight to make food is the

Part B: Detective Circle Choice

Circle the correct answer for each clue:

5. Which cell has a stiff, boxy shape and looks green?

Plant Cell Animal Cell

6. Which cell has a flexible round shape with NO cell wall?

Plant Cell Animal Cell

7. Can an animal cell make its own food using chloroplasts?

YES NO

Page 2 of 2 • Cell Detectives Reading & Check

The stiff outer wall that keeps plants standing tall.

The green kitchen using sunlight to make sugar food.

Cut-Out Badges: Cell Type Traits (3 Cards for Bottom Mat)

Has Cell Wall + Chloroplasts Makes own food with sun

Has Nucleus & Mitochondria Needs energy to live

Round & Flexible Edge Membrane only (No Wall)

Page 2 of 2 • Cell Match Cut-Out Sheet • Cut pieces carefully and paste onto Page 1!

Prompting & AAC Hierarchy: • Program AAC buttons: "Boss/Brain", "Door", "Battery", "Green Kitchen".
• Non-verbal students can hold up Green Card (Plant) or Blue Card (Animal) during slide mystery checks.

Page 1 of 2 • Cell Detectives Teacher Facilitation Guide

Teacher Reference Answer Keys & Assessment

Master Answer Keys & Differentiation Tiers

Quick-reference solutions for student materials and assessment criteria.

Handout Page 2: Reading & Check Answer Key

Part A: Fill in the Blank

1. Boss/brain that controls cell = Nucleus

2. Stiff outside layer in plants = Cell Wall

3. Battery that makes energy = Mitochondria

4. Green kitchen making food = Chloroplast

Part B: Detective Circle Choice

5. Stiff, boxy shape & green = Plant Cell

6. Flexible round shape, no wall = Animal Cell

7. Animal cells make own food? = NO (Only plants)

Sorting Activity Mat Answer Key

Venn Badges Placement: Plant Only = "Has Cell Wall + Chloroplasts" • Both Share = "Has Nucleus & Mitochondria" • Animal Only = "Round & Flexible Edge".

3-Tier Differentiation Guidelines

Tier 1: Maximum Support

Provide pre-cut tokens. Have student match picture-to-picture (icon on card to icon in teacher anchor chart). Verbal choices of 2 options.

Tier 2: Targeted Support

Students cut cards independently. Match organelle name to function clue. Complete fill-in-the-blank with word bank support.

Tier 3: Extension

Student explains orally or in writing why trees need a cell wall (to stand tall without bones) and why humans don't have green chloroplasts.

Exit Mastery Check: Student accurately differentiates at least 1 plant superpower (Wall or Chloroplast) and 2 core organelles.

80%+ Target

Page 2 of 2 • Cell Detectives Teacher Reference & Answer Keys