The Teaching Process

Lesson Overview

            After the completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

1.      Understand the continuous nature of the cell cycle

2.      Understand the importance of the cell cycle

3.      Identify and explain the steps of the cell cycle

4.      Recognize the steps of the cell cycle

5.      Understand that the cell cycle includes cell growth and cell division

List of Materials

            One computer for each student

            List of pre-determined websites and questions

            Colored pencils and drawing paper

Instructional Sequence

            Phase One: Engage the Learner

·        Write “Cell Cycle” on the front board

·        Put students in groups of three and assign a letter (A, B or C) to each student

·        In groups, students will discuss their thoughts about the cell cycle (prior knowledge)

·        Each group will develop 2 questions of interest about the cell cycle

·        Each student in every group will receive one or two websites and two additional questions to explore from the teacher. Every student in a group will have different websites. (all A’s will have the same website, all B’s will have the same websites and all C’s will have the same websites)

            Phase Two: Explore the Concept

                        Students will …

·        Individually use a computer to log onto their assigned websites to search for answers to all questions (Cell Cycle Websites)

·        Search at least two additional websites of their choosing for more answers

·        Record their findings

·        Return to their groups

·        Individually take 2 minutes each to share their findings with their group members

·        Develop a group definition of the cell cycle and describe its purpose

            Phase Three: Explain the Concept and Define the Terms

                        Students will …

·        share their definition and purpose with the entire class

·        verbally explain how they derived their definition and develop a class definition

                        The teacher will …

·        clarify any misunderstandings the students may have developed

·        explain the stages involved in the cell cycle

·        provide correct vocabulary terms and answer questions 

            Phase Four: Elaborate on the Concept

                        Students will …

·        update their definitions

·        individually create drawings of how they see the cell cycle

·        label drawings

            Phase Five: Evaluate Students’ Understanding of the Concept

·        Students will take a five question oral quiz to test understanding

·        The teacher will read the questions out loud while the students write down the answers

·        Questions:

1.   What happens once a cell has reached the end of the cell cycle?

2.      Why is the cell cycle important?

3.      List the steps of the cell cycle and explain what happens in each step.

4.   What types of cells undergo the cell cycle?

5.   What is the longest stage of the cell cycle?