Quick Programming Ideas #2

 Women in Science: Henrietta Lacks 

Library/Information Skills Lesson Plan

Cross-curricular subject areas: English Language Arts, Science   Date: February

Grade level: 9th Biology

Topic: Who is Henrietta Lacks and how is she tied to HeLa cells?

Lesson Objective: The learners will be introduced to Henrietta Lacks by a pre-read, which will tie to biology cells study.

21st-Century Skill Objectives: V. EXPLORE-Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection. 2. Reflecting and questioning assumptions and possible misconceptions. 3. Engaging in inquiry-based processes for

personal growth.

Materials needed: Image of Henrietta Lacks, the novel The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, paper for students to write on, writing pencils 

Instructional Procedures: Begin by drawing attention to the image, ideally displayed electronically, and ask students to answer the following:

• Using prior knowledge from your science class, what inference can you make about the image? 
• Who is Henrietta Lacks?

Ask if anyone would like to share their answer or if anyone has heard about Henrietta Lacks.

Then, read the prologue to the book by Rebecca Skloot called The Woman in the Photograph. Use this as a read-aloud session. 

As you finish reading, ask them to write down one connection, question, or surprising fact that they heard as you read. Additionally, ask them to make an inference about HeLa cells, ethics, and what they are learning in biology. 

Closing: Ask them to discuss what they wrote with a shoulder partner. Then they need to add an idea that was shared with them on their own paper.  Exit Ticket is given to librarian as they leave: (3-2-1: 3 things they learned based on the reading, 2 things they are curious about, 1 connection they can make to their science class

Assessment: informal observation of cooperative learning and exit ticket responses