Biology  5/e   Raven/Johnson
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Bring in a ball of yarn to simulate DNA as chromosomes and some unraveled yarn to represent DNA in chromatin form. Question the likelihood of knitting a scarf with the yarn in a ball. This is like trying to transcribe DNA as chromosomes. Also question the ease of separating two bunches of identically colored yarn when unraveled as compared to the same yarn when rolled into two separate balls.

In a small classroom, use clay or plastic foam and colored straws to represent chromosomes. In a large classroom with an overhead projector, cut rod-shaped chromosomes out of colored acetate. Make a second set to show chromatid replication during the S phase and hold the two chromatids together with overlapped post-it-note centromere circles. Cut similar shaped, but different colored chromosomes to show homologues.

Use colored beads and two sets of spaghetti to simulate chromosomes and spindle microtubules in a cell bounded by yarn. The pieces of spaghetti anchored at the poles push the yarn boundary apart as they slide past one another. Shorten the spaghetti attached to each chromosome to move the chromosomes to the poles. (One might want to use string instead of spaghetti, but the latter is more accurate.)

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