Ready, Set, Mitosis Lesson Plan:
Day One:
Teacher will:
 Present PowerPoint: Mitosis and Cell Cycle
o Throughout presentation:
 Draw stages of cell cycle on the whiteboard
 Draw stages of mitosis and label parts for student visual.
 Students watch summary video Crash Course: Mitosis.
Day Two:
Mitosis Dramatization Activity:
 Steps:
o Make a large circle with all students in class. (This is the cell membrane).
o In the circle, place a large hula-hoop (nucleus).
o Place two students with different colored shirts in the hula-hoop
(chromatin/chromosomes).
o Describe this phase as the G1 phase of interphase (normal growth and
development).
o Add two other students to hula-hoop with matching shirts to the individuals
already in there and have them hold hands. These students will represent
DNA replication or S phase of Interphase.
o Then have two students step just inside cell membrane and act as centrioles.
Remove hula-hoop. Give them each two ropes (spindle fibers) but do not
attach to pairs yet (sister chromatids). Point out that this is the Prophase
step of Mitosis.
o Now have the ropes become attached to the pairs and centrioles. Have
centrioles pull the sister chromatids to the equator of cell. This is Anaphase.
o Now have the centrioles pull the sister chromatids apart and move towards
opposite sides of cell. Have the cell membrane (outer students) begin to
pinch in the centers forming the cleavage furrow. This is Telophase.
o Next have the outer students create two smaller circles and add a hula-hoop
to each new cell again around chromosomes. This is cytokinesis.
 I repeat this process at least three times with new students in the center each time.
Each time that we go through, I give fewer directions and require the students to
explain what is happening. The last time, I give no instructions and summatively
assess the students on their explanation of the cell cycle.
Homework Day Two:
Students will be required to complete the Part 1 of the Mitosis/Meiosis Assignment that has
been attached for homework.
Day Three:
Start the next day with a review of the process by exchanging papers and peer editing.