When I came to the cell cycle this year in biology, I discovered that the diagram for it was omitted from our Braille books (Holt book, page 125 and 130). So, we made the diagram in a classroom activity.
I have made a Braille diagram for use with thermoform and a diagram for large print users. I also have included photos of student made models.
Instructions:
Use either poster board, Braille paper, or paper plates (we cut our large poster board into four pieces to do this activity).
If using poster board have students use a compass to make the circle for the model; do this one-day in advance.
Use hot glue gun to outline the circle and make notches or glue marks in the circle for the location of each division in the cell cycle (teacher prepares this part in advance).
Push a brad into the center of the circle (student can do this).
Use yarn to make the divisions; cut 2 pieces a little longer than the diameter of the circle, and one piece a little longer than the radius of the circle.
Student will put the center of the long yarn pieces under the brad in the center and wrap the end of the short yarn piece under the brad also.
tudent will then attach the loose ends of each yarn piece with scotch tape where the notches are located on the circle to make the divisions in the cell cycle; cut excess yarn off at the circle or you can use the glue gun to attach the yarn at the circle.
Students make labels to go on each part of the cell cycle.
Teacher reviews the cell cycle with the student and points out which parts are interphase, mitosis, and cytokinesis.
Students can label interphase and put a different colored yarn piece around the circle to show that section; some students may not need to do this step after discussing it. (Interphase is the G1, S, and G2 phases). We just discussed it in my class without labeling it.
