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Professor Program
Discussion Leader Activity: Mitosis vs. Meiosis Flip Book
Author/Creator: Jillian Ory, 3rd year grad student
Created for: Bio 97
Activity Type : Small group activity
Time Needed in Discussion: 50 minutes
Purpose
• To provide students an opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences between the
processes of mitosis and meiosis.
• To give students the tools to outline the main points of mitosis and meiosis so they can be
used as a study guide.
Abstract
Pre-class prep
Small group work (3-4) (worksheet)
Teacher leads whole class discussion of worksheet
Continue small group work (‘flip books’)
30? min
20 min
10 min
20 min
Supplies
• Worksheet (similar to attached)
• Notecards
• ‘Flip Book’ templates (similar to attached)
• Crayons and/or colored pencils
• Candy rewards
Pre-class prep
1. Create a worksheet that involves comparing and contrasting mitosis and meiosis and post
it on your website.
2. Prepare notecards with a few of the questions from the worksheet written on them. (one
for every 3 or 4 students)
3. Create a “flip book” template for students to outline and draw the steps involved in mitosis
and meiosis. Print copies for every student.
In Class
1. (5min) Have your students get into groups of 3 or 4 and get out the compare and contrast
worksheet they should have printed from your website and explain how to answer the
questions. Then hand out a notecard to each group and instruct them to start with the
questions listed on it and then move on to the rest of the worksheet.
2. (15min) Give the students time to discuss the compare and contrast chart while you walk
around the room and answer questions. Be sure to try to guide them to the answer
© 2009 by the HHMI-UCIrvine Professor Program. For non-commercial, educational use only.
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Professor Program
themselves by asking leading questions and giving hints. Also have the students write
their names on the notecards and turn them in to you.
3. (10min) Get the groups’ attention and have the students write their names on the notecards
and turn them in to you. Lead a class discussion of the answers to the worksheet and use
the notecards to call on groups/students to answer questions if they are being shy. Be sure
to give candy rewards.
4. (20min) Hand out the mitosis and meiosis ‘flip book’ templates that you created and
crayons or colored pencils to each student. Explain how to use the templates as a study
tool by outlining the main points and drawing the steps of mitosis and meiosis. Give them
the rest of the class period to work on them while you again walk around and answer
questions.
Things to Ask or Emphasize
• When making your compare/contrast worksheet, try to come up with a few extra, more
detailed questions that you can ask the class as a whole to answer to instigate more
conversation.
• Tell the students to only start with a small set of chromosomes (ie 2) when they draw out
the steps of mitosis and meiosis. This will save space on the paper and reduce the chance
of confusion.
• Be sure to emphasize the many ways that the ‘flip book’ templates can be used to study.
They don’t have to actually make a real flip book. They can use the filled in template as a
study outline or they can cut out the phases of each process and turn them into flashcards.
Comments
• The students will need their lecture notes and/or book with them to fill out the worksheet
and ‘flip books.’ Be sure to email them at least the day before discussion and remind them
to bring these materials.
• Some students may think the ‘flip book’ activity is childish so try to have a good attitude
when explaining it and make sure they understand that they aren’t elementary school flip
books. You will find that most students will actually enjoy the activity and thank you for
making them draw everything out and giving them a study tool.
This activity was edited by Adrienne Williams
© 2009 by the HHMI-UCIrvine Professor Program. For non-commercial, educational use only.
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Professor Program
Sample Worksheet
Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis using the following chart.
Mitosis
DNA replication (# and
when?)
# of Divisions? (type?)
Phases?
Synapsis, crossing over,
independent
assortment? (when?)
When and where do
spindle fibers attach?
Daughter cells (# and
genetic composition)
Purpose?
© 2009 by the HHMI-UCIrvine Professor Program. For non-commercial, educational use only.
Meiosis