Read Works
Read Works: Inheritance of Traits
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about learned and inherited traits. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 3.15 Polygenic Traits
Learn how in polygenic inheritance, a trait is controlled by more than one gene.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Anatomy & Physiology: Patterns of Inheritance
Students learn about patterns of inheritance including genotype and phenotype, and then learn about the inheritance of autosomal dominant and recessive and sex-linked genetic disorders.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center: Traits Activities
A collection of genetic learning activities provides an engaging way to learn about traits, or better understand disease risk.
University of Utah
University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center: Heredity and Traits
The Genetic Science Learning Center presents the world of heredity and traits including activities to better comprehend the science, clear explanations of aspects of heredity, and an interactive opportunity.
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: The Gene Connection Show [Pdf]
Fifth graders will discover the difference between inherited traits and learned behaviors by bringing the traits to life in a game of charades. After that, the students will demonstrate knowledge of recessive and dominant traits as they...
University of Utah
University of Utah: Genetic Science Learning Center: teach.genetics: Introduction to Heredity
A three-day unit introduces heredity by helping students identify their own genetic traits and then leading them in an exploration of generational traits and variation. Find printable worksheets, data tables, and graphs, as well as...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Pedigree Analysis: A Family Tree of Traits
Some characteristics, like the shape of your hairline, whether your earlobes are attached or detached, and whether or not you have freckles are inherited from your parents. In this science project you will learn about Mendelian traits,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance
This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, uses Punnett squares to illustrate Mendel's laws of inheritance and how a particular gene combination results in a 3-to-1 ratio of dominant-to-recessive traits.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Dolan Dna Learning Center: Inheritance Calculator: Genetic Traits
An interactive Punnett Square inheritance calculator helps students work out patterns of recessive inheritance for a trait, such as straight or peaked hairline.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Polygenic Inheritance and Environmental Effects
Learn about traits that are controlled by multiple genes and/or influenced by the environment. Understand penetrance and expressivity.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 3.13 Sex Linked Inheritance
Learn about the traits that are linked to genes on the sex chromosomes.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance
Learn about Thomas Hunt Morgan's experiments with the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) as a model system.
ArtsNow
Arts Now Learning: Super Gene [Pdf]
In this lesson, 5th graders learn about basic genetics and how genes can affect someone's behavior. They will write their own narrative about a character they create as a class in order to illustrate the effects of inherited traits and...
Bryn Mawr College
Serendip: Dragon Genetics: Understanding Inheritance
Brief text summary of what students learn in the Dragon Genetics II lab along with links to download Student Handouts and Teacher Preparation Notes in PDF and Word formats. Using Popsicle sticks, students experiment with different...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science: Life Science: Learned Behavior of Animals
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Introduces learned behaviors and the different methods of learning.
Trinity University
Trinity University: Inherited Traits Versus Learned Behaviors [4Th Grade]
In this extremely detailed unit, learners will learn the about innate and learned characteristics in animals and humans through a series of teacher and student-led discussions, readings, reflections, learning activities, and...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Biology: Genetics
Through informational text, interactive activities, practice problems, and video clips, students analyze how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
Tom Richey
Linked in Learning: Inherited Traits
Use this slideshow to teach your class the difference between inherited and learned traits. Includes a survey of traits, a data table, a chart with examples of inherited traits, and questions to spur engagement and discussion.
PurposeGames
Purpose Games: Inherited Traits vs. Learned Behavior
Choose the picture that shows a learned behavior or an inherited trait.
Utah STEM Foundation
Utah Stem Action Center: Inherited Traits
Ever wondered why you might look like your parents? Or an animal cub my look like its mom? Learn about inherited traits with this quick and easy lesson.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Non Mendelian Inheritance
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In all of Mendel's experiments, he worked with traits where a single gene controlled the trait. Each also had one allele that was always dominant over the recessive...
CPALMS
Cpalms: Inherited and Learned Behaviors
View this slideshow containing vibrant pictures, examples, and easy to understand text to learn the difference between inherited and acquired traits.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: 3.14 Non Mendelian Inheritance
Learn about some examples of inheritance that do not follow Mendelian inheritance rules.