Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: outline the mitotic cell cycle, including: interphase (growth in G1 and G2 phases and DNA replication in S phase), mitosis, cytokinesis
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe the three phases of interphase and their key events.
  • Explain the sequence and characteristic events of the four stages of mitosis.
  • Compare cytokinesis in animal and plant cells.
  • Illustrate the complete mitotic cell cycle using a diagram.
  • Evaluate how errors in mitosis can affect chromosome number.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen for slides/diagrams
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Printed worksheets with cell‑cycle diagrams
  • Microscopy images or virtual cell‑model software
  • Sticky notes or index cards for labeling activities
  • Exit ticket cards
Introduction:
Begin with a quick animation showing a growing cell dividing, asking students what must happen before a cell can split. Recall that cells spend most of their life preparing for division, linking to prior learning on DNA replication. Today’s success criteria: you will be able to outline each phase of the mitotic cycle and explain how the nucleus and cytoplasm are divided.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students label a blank cell‑cycle diagram on a handout.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Review interphase (G1, S, G2) with slides and key points.
  3. Interactive simulation (10'): Virtual mitosis model where groups identify prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase events.
  4. Guided practice (10'): Worksheet matching stage descriptions to the correct mitotic phase; teacher checks understanding.
  5. Cytokinesis comparison (5'): Discuss animal vs. plant cytokinesis using images; students create a Venn diagram on sticky notes.
  6. Formative check (5'): Exit ticket – one sentence describing the order of events in the mitotic cycle.
Conclusion:
Summarise that interphase prepares the cell, mitosis ensures equal nuclear division, and cytokinesis completes cell division. For the exit ticket, students write the correct sequence of phases. Homework: complete the online quiz on the mitotic cycle and read the next chapter on meiosis.