The second phase is the evaluation of the dramatization of their immune response. Oral presentation, creativity, thorough and accurate presentation of material, and a conclusion for review should all be considered. Peer evaluation and self-evaluation of the process can also be used effectively with this type of assignment. Have students construct a model of a virus and use this virus to explain the differences between viruses and bacteria. A T4 bacteriophage is a good model.
Students decide on a virus to model.
Using materials such as wire, pipe cleaners, clay, bolts, and so on, students model the capsid, sheath, tail, and nucleic acid core. Research information on the virus and present this information and the model to the class. Depending on lesson time, students could also model an antigen-antibody reaction. Each fall signals back to school, back to football games, and unfortunately for many, back to bed with the flu. Use its Web site as a database to research the answers to questions that you might have concerning the flu.