Lesson #3

Subject Area: Biology

Objectives: Given a microscope, students will identify the stages of mitosis in a plant
cell with 100% accuracy.

Given a microscope and an Excel spreadsheet, students will calculate the relative
duration of the cell cycle stages with 100% accuracy.

Science GPS
• SB1 Students will analyze the nature of the relationships between structures and
functions in living cells.
• SB2 Students will analyze how biological traits are passed on to successive
generations.

Technology Integration QCC:

11 Creates, manages, and utilizes information using spreadsheet tools and applications.

Materials and Equipment:

1. LCD projector
2. computers with Internet access
3. onion root tip slide
4. science notebooks
5. spreadsheet instructions
6. flash drives
7. KWL chart
8. markers

Technology Integration:
The Internet will be used to access the Arizona Biology Project website. Microsoft Excel
will be used for calculations and graphing data.

Procedures:
1. The teacher will review the essential questions and the performance task.
2. Students will be assigned a partner.
3. The teacher will pass out the science notebooks.
4. Students will be assigned to a computer.
5. The teacher will use the LCD projector to display the Arizona Biology Project
website.
6. Students will read “Online Onion Root Tips” and complete the activity at
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
Students will record the data in their notebooks.
7. Using their instructions, students will create a spreadsheet using Excel.
 8. After creating their spreadsheets, students will be given a slide and a picture of an
onion root tip. Students will use their microscopes to examine their prepared
slide, focusing on the area of cell division.
9. Using the photograph of the onion root tip, students will classify each cell based
on its current stage in the cell cycle. Students will record this data in their science
notebooks.
10. After copying and pasting their practice page into Sheet 2, students will enter this
data into their spreadsheet. Following the worksheet’s instructions, the students
will then create their graph. Students will save their spreadsheet data on the
flash drive.
11. Each group will insert their spreadsheet data into the class’s spreadsheet.
12. The teacher will use the LCD projector to display the data and students will
complete the mitosis worksheet.
13. The class will then complete the L column on the KWL chart.

Web Links:
Online Onion Root Tips
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/activities/cell_cycle/cell_cycle.html
A website that explains how to calculate the time spent in the different phases of the cell
cycle.

Learner Participation:
While reviewing the essential questions and performance task, students will participate in
a class discussion. While students are perusing the websites and completing their
spreadsheet, students will be working with a partner. Students will participate in a class
discussion while completing the KWL chart.

Evaluating Student Performance:

The students will be assessed with this worksheet.

Extensions:
For students that finish early, they will be instructed to visit the Mitosis movies website.

Accommodation:
The students with 504 plans will be given extra time to complete the worksheet if needed.

Evaluating Media Performance:

I will begin evaluating the media by using it myself. Then, I will monitor student
reactions as they use the media.

Evaluating Instructor Performance:

I will consider my performance successful if students find the lesson engaging students
are able to meet the objectives and the lesson progresses smoothly.