7th Grade Biology - Cell Cycle and Genetics
Posted by Sean Gardinier on December 21st, 2007
In January, I will be teaching Cell Cycle and Genetics to my 7th graders. I’m currently looking for new approaches to this challenging curriculum. Built on investigation and experimentation, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of: cell cycle, mitosis, chromosomes, heredity (punnett squares), genotype probability, meiosis, DNA, nucleotides, changes in genes, and genetic implications and applications.
In the past several years, I have been asking prominent scientists how they think children should learn science. Here’s a list of their suggestions:
- Students need to know where the science came from. They need to understand that science came from discovery, research, and innovation. This critical historical connection is often not taught
- Set aside the textbooks, they are great for reference. Have students look at current research papers. Hold discussions in small groups.
- Focus on the fundamental concepts. Difficult science does not necessarily need to be difficult to learn.
- Provide opportunities for students to experience science. Kids learn when they are exploring. Every scientist has a sense of play and exploration. This should be encouraged in the classroom.
- Avoid “fake” investigations. Students learn best when they have opportunities to explore their interests.
I agree with them with the addition of combining a technology piece that requires students to create electronic content. If you had to teach the above, how would you do it?
January 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
When I learned about DNA, genes, and genetics my professor used the historical experiments that were done to discover the basic concepts as the basis for the lectures. The experiments are mostly simple and elegant, and really helped put the concepts together. Examples included Mendel and the peas, Chargaff’s rules, Hershey/Chase and the blender, and of course the drama surrounding the Francis/Crick paper and theft of data. I think that’s a great suggestion to teach the historical connection and where the science came from.