Layout Mat for the Chromosomes A great classroom management tool and some tips for its use For a smoother lesson, print out one Chromosome Layout Mat for each Student Chromosome Set. Have the student teams place the correct LEGO pieces on the mat before you begin instruction. After this step, you can set aside the mat and lead the biology lesson without interruptions caused by LEGO piece problems. Note that the green microtubules are absent. It is better for the teacher to keep these out of the student sets. Distribute the microtubules only when needed during the lesson and recollect them immediately. This is the easiest way to maintain the microtubules in the correct arrangement.
Download the Chromosome Layout Mat. First select your available paper size. Chose either two parts (right and left both 8 1/2x11) that you will tape together, or a larger (11x17) paper size. If you don't have a color printer, it is possible to add the small spots of color with color marker. (It works.) Laminate and save.
NOTE: This layout mat is does not show the entire piece count/set. The mat works to give the class a functional start. The kids get acquainted with the biology terms in the model and everything is ready to go.
Need a quick method for your students to check the pieces for assembly, magnet polarity and count?
Download and print out the two layout mats, the DNA and RNA Nucleotide Layout Mats.Place both "mats" in the DNA Set.
Instruct your students place each LEGO piece on top of its picture and show you a complete set.
Do this at the beginning of each class and have the students record any missing pieces next to their initials on the Set Check Sheets. If each class does this, your students will be checking how well the previous team managed the set pieces.
DNA Layout Mat NOTE: If you only have a printer that can print 8 1/2x 11 inch
paper, print out the DNA "AG" nucleotides on one page, and the DNA "TC"
nucleotides on the next. The pdf icons for this arrangement are
listed to the right. You also do not need a color printer. The letters A,T, C,
G, and U and the shapes identify the subunits for the layout mat.
