Curated OER
World-wide Search for the Dominant Trait
Students receive instruction on dominant/recessive traits, access World-Wide Search for the Dominant Trait and download information on which traits to assess. They collect data on at least 20 people and prepare a data chart.
Virginia Department of Education
DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
Cornell University
Extracting DNA
Uncover the basics of DNA structure through exploration activities. Collaborative groups build DNA models and recreate the process of replication. Then, using plant cells such as peas or strawberries, they extract a DNA sample.
University of Washington
Toothpick Fish
With colored toothpicks representing genes, youngsters practice passing them through generations of fish and learn about heredity. Consider this as an introductory activity since it does not represent recessive genes with lowercase...
Curated OER
Do Your Earlobes Hang down?
Seventh graders listen as the teacher explains the differences between dominant and recessive traits. The data sheet is described and delivered to students. Students collect data about themselves and record it on their sheet. For the...
Curated OER
People Are Like Peas in a Pod
Students experiment with peapods to show the diversity of individual within a population. They examine dominant traits, recessive traits, genotypes, and phenotypes and show the process of making a Punnett Square.
Curated OER
The Genetics of Parenthood
Students draws the child's face and compares "mother's" and "father's" perception of characteristics. One student draws the child's face; partner writes a biography of the child at age 30- what is the child like, what have they...
Curated OER
Survival of the Fittest – Battling Beetles
Students explore natural selection. For this genetic adaptation lesson plan, students discover why certain traits continue and some traits disappear. Students discover how species evolve and change. Resources are provided.
American Psychological Association
Using Psychological Perspectives to Answer Questions on Behavior
Perspective is everything when it comes to assessing human behavior. Class members examine a series of statements and identify the perspective represented by each to demonstrate their understanding of different psychological perspectives.
Curated OER
Blue Genes: Affect Your Life!
Students, in groups, research, analyze and synthesize information on genetic diseases. After watching a video on genetics, groups perform research on a variety of genetic diseases and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Patterns of Heredity
A family tree of dogs guides students through this activity, in which students analyze the pedigree. With a key describing the genetic attributes (tall dominant, short recessive, or male/female), students complete five questions about...
Curated OER
Fun with Heredity
Learners explore basic concepts of heredity and collaborate to see genetics in action through several activities provided in the instructional activity. Inherited traits are examined and identified as dominant or recessive.
Curated OER
Variety is the Spice of Life
Students explore Gregor Mendel's work with genetics. They complete a survey of their friends and family in order to identify dominant and recessive traits. Once their surveys are complete, students discuss the ways in which dominant...
Curated OER
Making Babies
Students participate in a genetics activity in which they determine genotypes and phenotypes for given traits. They work with a partner and create babies based on their genotypes. Once traits for babies are determined, they write...
Curated OER
Patterns of Heredity Vocabulary
Test your students' biology vocabulary skills with this review sheet, in which students define twelve different vocabulary terms related to patterns of heredity. Using the word bank provided, 9th graders complete eight sentences with the...
Curated OER
Wearing My Genes: Basic Principles of Heredity
Students explore heredity. For this science lesson plan, students examine what heredity is, distinguish the difference between the dominant and recessive genes, explain the difference between phenotype and genotype, and predict the...
Curated OER
Chromosomes
Students explore genetics, chromosomes and DNA. In this genetics lesson students design a chromosome and identify a family tree through genetics.
Curated OER
X Is For Wonderment
Students engage in a lesson plan that is concerned with the "X" chromosome and how ti is part of genetics with the use of Punnett squares. They use this tool in order to predict future genetic outcomes while focusing upon specific...
Curated OER
Extracting DNA from Your Cells - Teacher Preparation Notes
Students extract their own DNA from cheek cells. In this biology instructional activity, students explain the replication process. They identify the structure and composition of DNA.
Curated OER
The Human Mind
Young scholars read and discuss twin studies to explore the debate of nature vs. nurture. They create a list of characteristics and then look for evidence of whether it is primarily a genetic or environmental characteristic. All of the...
Curated OER
Human Heredity Vocabulary
Ninth graders review the terms "aneuploidy," "fetus," and "karyotype" in this vocabulary worksheet, which includes three multiple choice questions about each term. This activity could be expanded into a more developed vocabulary lesson...
Curated OER
DNA: The Human Body Recipe
Students describe DNA and the roles in which engineers are involved with the human body. For this DNA lesson students participate in a class demonstration.
Curated OER
Human Heredity
Students apply their knowledge of simple and complex inheritance of human traits to this activity, which prompts students to fill in the blanks and complete the chart. The activity refers to Chaper 15 of an unnamed textbook, but it could...
Curated OER
Genetic Pamphlet with a Purpose
High schoolers design a human genetic condition pamphlet which they present to the class and then take to a doctor's or pediatrician's office.