MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Peas in a Pod: Genetics
Can peas have grandparents? Learn about inherited traits and heredity with a set of activities focused on Mendelian genetics. As your class learns about the process of passing traits along in Punnett squares, they take on the role of...
Curated OER
Taster of Non-Taster?
Students investigate their own inherited traits by using taste papers. In this genetic traits lesson, students test their ability to taste various substances, which is determined by inherited genetic traits. They take home taste papers...
Curated OER
Trait Variations for Survival
Young learners examine how different traits could give one organism an advantage over another. In groups, they view two different organisms in different environments. To end the lesson, they complete a Venn Diagram on the two organisms...
Curated OER
Taster or Non-Taster?
Students conduct a simple experiment to determine if a trait has been passed from a family member to them.
Curated OER
Applying the Laws of Inheritance
Biology and mathematics can be integrated through a study of Mendelian Genetics.
Curated OER
Exploring Human Traits
Students explore human behavior by participating in a class science game. In this human characteristics lesson, students identify different human traits that are passed down by each generation and the purpose each of them have. Students...
Curated OER
Whose Genes Are These, Anyway?
Young scholars explore some of the ethical questions raised by genetic testing. They answer the question of whom, if anyone, has rights to knowledge of each person's genetic make-up.
Curated OER
Who am I and Why?
Students make comparisons about themselves and others, which are real and meaningful. They study some basic concepts in the area of genetics and do a complimentary series of experiments, or explorations that illustrate these concepts
Curated OER
Life Cycles
Students identify inherited traits. In this heredity lesson, students watch a video and construct a genetic description of themselves.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Roll of the Genes
Animal reproduction in sheep and cattle is explored with the help of Punnet squares. Scholars employ tools using probability to conclude the color of wool a sheep's offspring will have. Acting as animal geneticists, pupils then take...
Curated OER
EMS Lesson 2: Outrageous Offspring
Students investigate the principles of probability that can be used to predict hereditary traits.
Curated OER
Nature and Nurture
Students look into the role both nature and nurture play in determining an individual's traits. They examine how genes and the environment affect personality
Curated OER
Albinistic Animals Are Awesome
Are all academicians allured with alliteration? Use this cross-curricular online resource to simultaneously expose your scholars to parts of speech and the genetic mutation causing albinism. Initial context gives students an introduction...
Curated OER
Nature And Nurture
Students develop an understanding of the role both nature and nurture play in determining an individual's traits. Using a website, students answer questions about nature and nurture in order to solve the riddle, What do you call a smart...
Agriculture in the Classroom
A Rafter of Turkeys
How did that turkey get from the early Aztec culture to your table? Learn about the history of wild and domesticated turkeys in North America, as well as their inclusion in Thanksgiving traditions, with a two-part agricultural science...
Curated OER
Square Dancing
Fourth graders investigate the concept of using punnett squares in the determination of the offspring.They collect drawings and pictures and create a collection for student science journals.
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.
eSchool Today
E School Today: Your Cool Tips on Genetics
Explains basic genetics concepts, including genes, DNA, chromosomes, sex chromosomes, how traits are inherited, genetic variation, cloning, and stem cells.
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.
Michigan Reach Out
Michigan Reach Out: Genetics: You Are Unique
For this lesson plan, students learn basic genetics by identifying their inherited traits.
CommonLit
Common Lit: "Don't Hate on the Trait" by Bird Brain Science
CommonLit.org is a wonderful resource to use in a Language Arts classroom. Each story or article is accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. In addition, students can click on words to see...
University of Washington
Genome Sciences Education Outreach: State Your Traits [Pdf]
Multi-activity lesson in which young scholars engage in learning about the inheritance of genetic traits.
Treehut
Suzy's World: Genetics Why Do You Look Like You?
This site explores the role genetics plays in making you look the way that you do. Content includes fun facts and a classroom experiment.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Mendelian Inheritance Study Guide
Review the processes of basic Mendelian genetics.