UNDERSTANDING HEREDITYKate Edgren—Sample Middle School Lesson

Today’s AgendaDriving Question: How can we use the principles of genetics and probability to create the next hit kid’s character?

GOALS: Students will be able to successfully complete a Punnett Square and identify parent and offspring genotypes and phenotypesStudents will be able to express how probability can be used to predict inheritance

Announcements: Punnett Squares Quiz on Thursday!

Activities:•Review from Yesterday!•Toy Babies!•Heredity Discussion•BrainPop•Punnett Square Practice + HW (would have link to options)•Exit Ticket

Homework/Next Steps: HW due tomorrow! (turn it in today if you’re done!)

Sample Agenda

https://echo.newtechnetwork.org/?q=ntlp/courses/agenda/252385391/2014/3/26

Lesson Background

Lesson in a Genetics project 45-60 minute class 7th/ 8th grade science 1-1 Computers Information already introduced:

Genotype Phenotype Gene vs. allele Heterozygous vs. Homozygous

Toy Babies!

Predict what your toy couple’s babies would look like. Use the paper provided to draw and/or describe their offspring.

But first—girl or boy?!? Come to Mrs. Edgren to get a coin. Heads = Girl, Tails = Boy

Think, Pair, Share

Think about WHY your baby looks like it does.

Pair with someone next to you.

Share and compare your drawings.

Be ready to share out some observations with the class!

How does heredity work?

How does heredity work?

Dominant vs. Recessive

A dominant allele is one that “shows-up” in an organism when it is present.

Because it is DOMINANT we represent it with a CAPITAL letter.

Examples:

A G H Q

Dominant vs. Recessive

A recessive allele is one that “hides” in an organism unless there is no dominant gene present.

Because it is recessive, we represent it with a ___________________ letter.

Examples:

a g h q

Brain Pop Video

Please take 3 notes and list Need to Knows on your worksheet!

http://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/heredity/

Share out!

Punnett Square Practice

In flowers, purple flowers are dominant to white flowers. Cross a purple flower (PP) with a white flower (pp).

HOMEWORK

OPTIONS Complete WS Play this game, print final screen to turn

in! Mini-Workshop at board with Mrs. Edgren

(she’ll let you know when you’ve done enough practice!)

DUE TOMORROW

Exit Ticket Review today’s goals:

Students will be able to successfully complete a Punnett Square and identify parent and offspring genotypes and phenotypes

Students will be able to express how probability can be used to predict inheritance

On a post-it….Draw the smiley face that represents how you’re feeling about these goals. Explain.

Give Mrs. Edgren a grade (A-F) on how well she helped you meet these goals today. Explain.

Lesson Debrief

Fill-in matrix

Make observations

Questions

Additional Resources