re: mitosis
From: Burt Kessler (bcomet@postoffice.pacbell.net)
Date: Wed Nov 14 2001 - 06:45:03 PST
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 06:45:03 -0800
From: Burt Kessler <bcomet@postoffice.pacbell.net>
Subject: re: mitosis
Message-id: <a05010400b81833527325@[64.164.8.253]>
re: mitosis
-We are teaching
mitosis for the first time in our curriculum and are looking for some
kind of hands-on activity or interactive web program. Any ideas?
I introduce mitosis with an inductive lesson using an overhead
projector. I draw a diagram of a cell in prophase at the top and two
cells in prophase at the bottom and challenge the students to figure
out what "must" happen to get from start to finish. With a
little guidance and some false starts they can induce that the
chromosomes must first double, then organize themselves before
separating. After that I give them the stages sequentially. Later I do
the same lesson for meiosis and after figuring out the essentials
themselves, there is much less confusion between the two
processes.
For a hands on
reinforcement, I give pairs of students play dough in two colors and a
long piece of string to represent either the nuclear or cell
membrane. After they have created models of chromosomes, I walk
around the room and make sure that each pair can correctly manipulate
them through all of the stages. Again, this lesson is repeated
for meiosis. Crossing over, and nondisjunction can also be
illustrated this way.
Here is the recipe for play dough. I give it out to the students
and give extra credit to anyone who brings in some. Sealed
airtight, it can last for years. Plasticine clay is more
expensive, but keeps indefinitely.
Mix together: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 4 tsp. cream of
tartar
Add to dry ingredients: 2 cups water, 2 Tbs. oil, food
coloring
Stir over medium heat until play dough consistency.
Store in air tight container.
Burt
Kessler
--
We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are
spiritual beings having a human experience.
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: Mon Aug 05 2002 - 09:21:38 PDT