Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: outline key structural features of a prokaryotic cell as found in a typical bacterium, including: unicellular, generally 1–5 µm diameter, peptidoglycan cell walls, circular DNA, 70S ribosomes, absence of organelles surrounded by double membranes
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the typical size range and unicellular nature of bacteria.
  • Identify the composition and role of the peptidoglycan cell wall.
  • Explain the organization of circular DNA within the nucleoid region.
  • Compare 70S prokaryotic ribosomes with eukaryotic ribosomes.
  • Recognize the absence of membrane‑bound organelles and double‑membrane structures in prokaryotes.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • PowerPoint slides with schematic bacterium diagram
  • Student handouts (comparison table & labelled diagram)
  • Microscope images or prepared slides of bacterial cells
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Interactive quiz platform (e.g., Kahoot)
 Introduction:

Begin with a quick poll: “What’s the smallest living thing you’ve ever seen?” Use the responses to highlight the ubiquity of bacteria. Review prior knowledge of eukaryotic cell structures, then state that today’s success criteria are to list and explain the defining features of a typical prokaryotic cell.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5') – Students write three differences between plant and animal cells on sticky notes.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – Present the key prokaryotic features using the PowerPoint diagram.
  3. Guided activity (15') – In pairs, students complete a comparison table (prokaryote vs. eukaryote) on the handout.
  4. Interactive check (5') – Quick Kahoot quiz to confirm understanding of size, wall composition, DNA form, ribosome type, and organelle absence.
  5. Image analysis (10') – Examine microscope images; label the cell wall, plasma membrane, nucleoid, and ribosomes.
  6. Class discussion (5') – Students share one surprising fact they discovered.
Conclusion:

Summarise the five hallmark characteristics of bacterial cells and ask learners to write one of these on an exit ticket. For homework, students will create a labelled digital diagram of a prokaryotic cell using a free drawing tool.