Now that the 7th grade has a better understanding of cells, we have started to work our way up the totem pole. Students have learned about the different levels of organization within multicellular organisms (organisms made of more than one cell). Our gators know that the cells are the building blocks of life, but they have also discovered that cells in multicellular organisms must work together in order to perform life processes. Students were given tissue samples from either an animal or plant, which they had to begin to study and analyze under the microscope. Along with a few lab questions, they had to illustrate their findings as well. Upon completion of this lab, students reinforced their knowledge that cells are the base level of organisms, but a group of similar cells working with similar functions are referred to as tissue. Moving up the totem pole of organization; a group of tissue cells make up an organ, such as our stomachs, and even further up, a group of organs working together are referred to as an organ system, like our digestive system. Lastly, all of our systems work together which help the organism to thrive and live out its life as successfully as possible. Overall, students had fun learning about the levels of organization (cells -> tissue -> organs -> organ systems -> organisms) within an organism and they were able to make these connections between the microscopic realm and and the macroscopic world.