Engage students from the very first day with this dynamic activity designed to ignite their curiosity about genetics. Each step of the process is carefully crafted to leave students eager for more.
Students take turns removing grey text boxes, revealing individuals or organisms with intriguing genetic conditions. They're given a brief window to observe and fill in the first two columns of a chart, noting their observations and initial hypotheses. This hands-on approach encourages active learning and critical thinking.
Following this, the class comes together to share their responses, creating a lively discussion. The excitement builds as students race to uncover the correct genetic condition through online research. It's a thrilling quest for knowledge!
For your convenience, a comprehensive teacher key is provided, offering detailed information about each condition, along with links to further reading materials. What's more, this adaptable document allows you to customize the examples to suit your preferences.
This activity has garnered enthusiastic praise from students and promises to captivate your class as well. Watch as their interest in genetics comes to life!
Elevate your genetics curriculum with this engaging exploration. Order now and spark a passion for genetic discovery in your students!
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
Join the Lesson Laboratory and Teach for Tomorrow!
HS-LS3-1: Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.
Connection: Students explore how genetic mechanisms cause observable differences in organisms.
HS-LS3-2: Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from new genetic combinations through meiosis, errors during replication, and/or mutations caused by environmental factors.
Connection: Students interpret real examples of genetic mutations, polygenic traits, and chromosomal abnormalities.
HS-LS3-3: Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.
Connection: Students consider population-level effects such as inbreeding, polygenic inheritance, and frequency of mutations.
Science & Engineering Practices: Analyzing and interpreting data; Constructing explanations; Engaging in argument from evidence; Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and effect; Structure and function; Patterns.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.1 / RST.11-12.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (connection: using external articles such as National Geographic or USA Today to support reasoning)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of key domain-specific vocabulary (e.g., mutation, polygenic, inbreeding, chimera).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.11-12.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words with visual information (photos of organisms paired with scientific explanations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.11-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including scientific analyses and reflections. (connection: written exit tickets summarizing observations and reasoning)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 / SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in collaborative discussions on scientific topics and ethical questions about genetics.
Engage students from the very first day with this dynamic activity designed to ignite their curiosity about genetics. Each step of the process is carefully crafted to leave students eager for more.
Students take turns removing grey text boxes, revealing individuals or organisms with intriguing genetic conditions. They're given a brief window to observe and fill in the first two columns of a chart, noting their observations and initial hypotheses. This hands-on approach encourages active learning and critical thinking.
Following this, the class comes together to share their responses, creating a lively discussion. The excitement builds as students race to uncover the correct genetic condition through online research. It's a thrilling quest for knowledge!
For your convenience, a comprehensive teacher key is provided, offering detailed information about each condition, along with links to further reading materials. What's more, this adaptable document allows you to customize the examples to suit your preferences.
This activity has garnered enthusiastic praise from students and promises to captivate your class as well. Watch as their interest in genetics comes to life!
Elevate your genetics curriculum with this engaging exploration. Order now and spark a passion for genetic discovery in your students!
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
Join the Lesson Laboratory and Teach for Tomorrow!
HS-LS3-1: Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from parents to offspring.
Connection: Students explore how genetic mechanisms cause observable differences in organisms.
HS-LS3-2: Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from new genetic combinations through meiosis, errors during replication, and/or mutations caused by environmental factors.
Connection: Students interpret real examples of genetic mutations, polygenic traits, and chromosomal abnormalities.
HS-LS3-3: Apply concepts of statistics and probability to explain the variation and distribution of expressed traits in a population.
Connection: Students consider population-level effects such as inbreeding, polygenic inheritance, and frequency of mutations.
Science & Engineering Practices: Analyzing and interpreting data; Constructing explanations; Engaging in argument from evidence; Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Crosscutting Concepts: Cause and effect; Structure and function; Patterns.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.1 / RST.11-12.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (connection: using external articles such as National Geographic or USA Today to support reasoning)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4 / RST.11-12.4: Determine the meaning of key domain-specific vocabulary (e.g., mutation, polygenic, inbreeding, chimera).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.7 / RST.11-12.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words with visual information (photos of organisms paired with scientific explanations).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.9-10.2 / WHST.11-12.2: Write informative/explanatory texts, including scientific analyses and reflections. (connection: written exit tickets summarizing observations and reasoning)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 / SL.11-12.1: Initiate and participate effectively in collaborative discussions on scientific topics and ethical questions about genetics.
