GED 2002 Teachers' Handbook of Lesson Plans

Activity Title - Cloning Around

Goal/Objective

To analyze scientific information on cloning and evaluate the moral and ethical issues.

Lesson Outline/Introduction

In today's fast paced world, there have been many scientific advances; however, there have not been any that has caused as much controversy.

Activity

Have the students discuss their definition of cloning. Write down their ideas on chart paper. Next, have a debate. The student will take a stance on the cloning issues. Talk with the students about what they already know about cloning, what has already been cloned, and what will be cloned in the future. Have students write a short essay on their feelings about cloning.

Debriefing/Evaluation Activity

Discuss the impact of cloning on the students' lives. The students need to be aware of the fact that their lives would also be affected by any governmental or legal decision that may be made about cloning.

Materials, Texts, Realia, Handouts

• Newspaper, news magazines
• Chart paper, markers
• CNN Newsroom
• US News and World Report
• USA Today

Extension Activity

Have the students use the Internet to search for articles on cloning. Print the article and read them to see if they support their own views.

ESE Accommodations

• Provide an overview of the material and what you expect to be learned.
• Provide a dictionary.
• Give longer periods for reading the article along with a study guide.
• Highlight the main ideas in the article.

Real-Life Connection

Look in the newspaper or news magazines for articles on cloning. In small groups, have the students discuss their articles and how cloning would affect their lives if cloning became an everyday occurrence.

Activity Title - Cloning Around

Introduction

Say: Does anyone know what the definition of the word cloning is?

Have the students look up the word cloning in the dictionary.

Definitions of the word cloning and anything that the students have heard or read about cloning should be discussed so that the students have a clear understanding of the word. The group discussion should lead into the students' own opinion on the subject of cloning.

Main Activity

Say: Today we are going to examine the impact that cloning may have on your life. Think about what kinds of things have already been cloned.

Answers should name things such as Dolly, the first sheep, mice, cows, pigs, and goats.

Say: What types of things do you think will be cloned in the future?

Answers should include anything reasonable, including people. After someone has mentioned people, the discussion should center on the moral, ethical and even legal implications of cloning.

Closure/Conclusion

Ask: Do you think that there will come a time will the process of cloning will be used to create humans to do such things as fight wars or even to do service level jobs?

Discuss some of the current movies and books that show such things happening.

Follow-up lessons/Activities

Divide the class into small groups of 4 to 6 students. Have each group make a list of pros and cons using cloning of animals. Have them think about questions such as:

• Will cloning of animals affect food supply, and the health of the people around the world?
• Will cloning have an economic impact on the world market?

Share the list of pros and cons in a whole group setting with more discussion on how cloning could affect everyone's lives.