BACKGROUND:
This lesson focuses on knowledge of how new cells are produced through mitosis and meiosis and the differences in the process by which they divide and pass along genetic instructions. As part of this lesson, students will use a touchscreen doodle app to create a slideshow depicting the phases of mitosis and meiosis and provide an explanation of what is happening during each phase. The finished product is a slideshow presentation demonstrating the phases of mitosis and meiosis and an explanation of how these processes differ from one another.
The Educreations Interactive Whiteboard app is available to download for free on iTunes.com onto a handheld touchscreen device such as an iPad. This app can be used to create visual slideshows by touching the screen with your finger to draw an illustration, type text, and add images onto the slide. Audio explanations for the slides can then be recorded to create the final presentation. Starting with only a blank screen, your finger, and your voice, this app is great for creating presentations to explain any concept in any content area. In this lesson, the Educreations app is used to create a slideshow with visual drawings and audio explanations of each phase of mitosis and meiosis.
By completing this lesson, students will gain scientific literacy skills through understanding the various phases of mitosis and meiosis to learn how cells in the human body are created.
21st Century Student Outcomes:
Learning and Innovation Skills - think creatively and work creatively with others, communicate and collaborate with others about ideas
ICT Literacy Skills - use digital technology to research, organize, evaluate, and communicate information
Media Literacy - understand and utilize media creation tools to create media products
Life and Career Skills - productivity and accountability to manage projects and produce results, social skills, working together in diverse teams
OBJECTIVES:
Students will be able to create a slideshow incorporating visuals and audio explanations of the various phases of mitosis and meiosis to demonstrate how they differ from one another.
STANDARDS:
Heredity L.12.A.3 - Students know all body cells in an organism develop from a single cell and contain essentially identical genetic instructions.
MATERIALS:
- Biology textbook
- Handheld touchscreen device such as an iPad with access to Educreations app - http://www.educreations.com/ or go to iTunes app store to download app
- Mitosis & meiosis script graphic organizer (click here to download PDF file)
- Mitosis vs. meiosis comparison chart (click here to download PDF file)
TIME FRAME:
4 to 5 days (designed for 50-60 minute class periods)
STEPS:
DAY 1:
What is mitosis and meiosis and why are they important for living things?
Mitosis is the process by which cell nuclei divide and separate chromosomes into two identical sets, producing identical cells. This process is important for growth and development of organisms and the regeneration of lost cells such as skin cells.
Meiosis is a special type of cell division found in sex cells where one cell divides into four genetically unique cells. This process is important in maintaining genetic diversity in a population.
Discuss the differences between diploid and haploid cells.
DAY 2:
Creating the script - Divide students into groups of 2-3, each group will be responsible for creating a mitosis and a meiosis slideshow. Have students spend the day writing out a script ahead of time so that they know what they are going to draw and say for each slide using the script graphic organizer. Give each group 2 organizers, one for mitosis and one for meiosis, and have the groups look through a textbook or online to research what is happening in each phase or go over the notes as a whole class first and have them use their notes. Each slide should contain a drawing of what each phase of mitosis or meiosis looks like along with an audio description explaining what is happening to the cell in each phase.
DAY 3 & 4:
Creating the slideshow - Have students open Educreations app on iPad to start a blank slideshow to start creating the slides.
Students can draw each slide first and then record the audio, or record while they are drawing. Click done when the slideshow is finished to save and play back. Note: the slideshow will save to the app even if you click cancel when it asks you to create an Educreations account, or you can create a classroom account where all the students can upload their slideshows to play back on the Educreations website.
DAY 5:
Comparing and contrasting mitosis and meiosis - Have students complete the mitosis vs. meiosis comparison chart to assess their knowledge of these processes and why they are important. Discuss what happens when chromosomes do not separate properly during meiosis (Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, XXY Syndrome, etc.)
Adaptations/modifications:
- If you don't have access to handheld touchscreen devices like iPads or iPods in the classroom, students can create slides by drawing on sheets of paper (one for each slide) and record a slideshow using a digital camera or camera phone and then upload the video to a free site like YouTube.
- Designate a specific role for each student in the group. One student can draw the slides, one can write the script, one can record the script aloud, etc. to allow all students, including those with special needs, to be involved in the group.
Click below to download this entire lesson as a PDF file
Comparing and contrasting mitosis and meiosis - Have students complete the mitosis vs. meiosis comparison chart to assess their knowledge of these processes and why they are important. Discuss what happens when chromosomes do not separate properly during meiosis (Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome, XXY Syndrome, etc.)
Adaptations/modifications:
- If you don't have access to handheld touchscreen devices like iPads or iPods in the classroom, students can create slides by drawing on sheets of paper (one for each slide) and record a slideshow using a digital camera or camera phone and then upload the video to a free site like YouTube.
- Designate a specific role for each student in the group. One student can draw the slides, one can write the script, one can record the script aloud, etc. to allow all students, including those with special needs, to be involved in the group.
Click below to download this entire lesson as a PDF file
mitosis__meiosis_slideshow.pdf | |
File Size: | 357 kb |
File Type: |