Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Designer Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a video on DNA. They discuss mitosis, meiosis and fertilization. They use strips of paper to simulate fertilization and analyze the genotype and phenotype of the combined chromosomes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA and RNA Structure and Transcription

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast the structure of RNA and DNA.They summarize the process of transcription and translation. The lesson uses an inquiry model and the use of codes in DNA.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA AND PROTEIN SYNTHESIS IN THE CELL

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the structure of DNA and the process of DNA replication, describe the process of protein synthesis, recognize the importance of proteins in the human body, and look at how mutations affect protein synthesis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Biotechnology With Models

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students will construct models to obtain understanding about the scientific concept. The kinesthetic learners will benefit from the project. There is ample opportunity for all types of learners to be engaged in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Genes Work Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars define the key terms that are the structure and function of DNA. For this genetics lesson students complete a lab activity in which they construct a model DNA structure.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics and Heredity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore genetics and heredity. They study meiosis and view videos and create vocabulary flashcards. They create a graphic organizer that compares and contrasts sexual and asexual reproduction in each of the six kingdoms. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ghost in Your Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore DNA microarrays. In this genetics instructional activity, students model DNA microarrays that are used by scientists. Learners work to determine levels of breast cancer genes in patients. They will determine the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Design Yer Genes

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore general structure of and natural changes that occur in DNA strands, and discuss concept of genetic engineering by creating small portion of strawberry chromosome with three genes, modeling naturally occurring...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ethical Decision Making Model-Dealing with Genetic Disorders

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In groups, learners read a case study of a couple who produced a child with hemophilia. Although tthe reading breifly mentions how a hemophiliac child is produced, the focus of this lesson is the ethical implications. This lesson is more...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Prokaryotes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Lead your biology class on a cell-sized adventure! Emerging scientists construct models of prokaryotes, then design an experiment to properly grow a bacterial culture. They conclude the activity by viewing the culture under a microscope....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sequencing

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students gather information about gene sequencing. In this biology lesson, students use the Internet to access information about gene sequencing, then work in pairs to read and record a gene sequence. Lesson includes extension activities.
Lesson Plan
Serendip

From Gene to Protein via Transcription and Translation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
DNA carries the codes for creating just the right protein. A well-designed lesson leads pupils through the process from start to finish and everywhere in between. Guiding questions with supporting video help scholars understand the...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

How Eyes Evolved – Analyzing the Evidence

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Octopodes existed for hundreds of thousands of years before humans, yet our eyes share many similarities. Scholars analyze the evidence to determine if the evolution of eyes best fits a homology or analogy model. They discuss the issue...
Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Passing Traits to Offspring

For Teachers 9th - 12th
What makes each one of us unique? Lead your class in this exciting and educational activity as you uncover traits that show how each individual is different from another. Pupils explore facts about DNA technology and predict the...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Making of Macromolecules

For Students 7th - 12th
Compare and contrast macromolecules made from the same elements. Young scholars learn how the structure of a molecule has as much influence on a compound as the elements in the molecule. They experiment with molecular model kits to...
Lesson Plan
LABScI

Genetic Equilibrium: Human Diversity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate the Hardy-Weinberg Principle to explain genetic equilibrium. The 10th lesson plan of a series of 12 is a laboratory exploration of genetic equilibrium. Your classes use a mixture of beans to model allele and genotype...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Lab Trilogy for Beginning Biology Teachers

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students are able to explain their models to other students and to their parents. Then students like to decorate the room by hanging the models or constructing mobiles of a number of models.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wolf Pack in a Bottle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students participate in an activity of a mock electrophoresis using paper chromatography to study DNA and genetic restriction mapping.
Lesson Plan
Serendip

From Gene to Protein - Transcription and Translation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the different steps involved in DNA transcription. In this genetics lesson, pupils complete a worksheet and model the translation process with a paper chain activity. They watch a video on sickle cell anemia and explain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transcription, Translation, and the Genetics of Microbes

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students construct various virus models using Fruit loops and Alphabits to represent nucleotides and molecules. They constructs capsomeres using shoes as the capsomeres and discuss various viruses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Biotechnology With Models

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils are introduced to biotechnology by using models. The teacher uses A Sourcebook of Biotechnology Activities, Rasmussen and Matheson project co directors. One of the activities in the book is: students use a scale models to very...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature vs. Nurture

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the concept of nature versus nurture in human development through this series of lessons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Cells Duplicate and Why, Where Something Can Go Wrong

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study cell division. They examine the role of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and how and why it must replicate, is essential to comprehending how our genetic patterns are transmitted to new cells.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Case of the Threespine Stickleback

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine why some freshwater populations of stickleback fish.  In this macroevolution lesson students read a study packet then answer questions.