Differentiating for Readiness

Topic: Mitosis

First, give a simple pretest to find out what students already know about mitosis.  This could be something like:

·         Have students draw a chromosome, tell what they know about where a gene is on a chromosome, have them tell what they know about cell division. Collect.

Have them work in mixed ability groups, give them sets of index cards with the stages of cell division drawn on and explained. Have them arrange in a logical order based on what they already know. Don’t grade. Have two groups get together and compare notes, and then have them tape their results on a poster board and display.

As a class, talk about the logical order of mitosis, have them fix their posters so they are correct.

Divide into groups based on readiness:

1 group—have them look at the cards and answer some specific questions about mitosis.

1 group—have them look at the cards and write a paragraph explaining the process of mitosis

1 group—have them look at mitosis and compare it to meiosis, then have them write a paragraph explaining the differences and similarities between the two processes.

Show a simplified video of mitosis for visual learners.

Use one on one instruction for students who are struggling.

Using pipe cleaners or clay, have them take the index cards with the steps of mitosis explained on them, and take turns modeling with the pipe cleaners/clay what is described on each card. Have them go in order, step by step. Pick one group for each step and have them explain and display their step to the class.

Have students look at microscope slides and try to identify the different stages of cell division in the slides.