Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Genetic Variation and Mutations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scientists demonstrate their creativity while completing several activities, to assess genetic variations and mutations. Instructors provide a list of options and scientists choose to write a comic strip, create a book,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cracking the Genetic Code

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine an article, "Genome 'Treasure Trove'" and participate in a class discussion prior to researching further information in order to write their own feature article on the Human Genome Project.
Lesson Plan
Community Resources for Science

A Whole New World of DNA and Proteins

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Lead your young scientists into an exciting world as they participate in a role play and experiment focused on proteins and DNA. After researching the Central Dogma of Biology, individuals or groups participate in a classroom...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Standard 4 Review Sheet-Genetics and Inheritance

For Teachers 9th - 11th
In this genetics worksheet, young scholars answer a variety of questions about inheritance, DNA, the genetic code, genes, sexual and asexual reproduction, mutations, protein synthesis and genetic engineering.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Is the Genetic Code Ultimately Translated Into a Protein?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the functions of mRNA, rRNA and tRNA. They explain the steps in the protein synthesis process. They practice using new vocabulary as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Translation and Proteins

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners follow the steps of translation and identify the reactants and products of translation. They able to explain that proteins are made of amino acids which are coded for by RNA. Students are able to give examples of proteins--...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Controlling the Code: Molecules at Word

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students investigate how cells determine which genes will be expressed and which will be silent. In this genetics instructional activity, students use on-line resources to complete a worksheet and gather information about gene...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

Genetic Engineering Challenge – How Can Scientists Develop a Type of Rice That Could Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Brown rice contains vitamins B and E, while white rice lasts longer in storage. The availability of rice around the world makes it a great candidate for genetic engineering. Scholars apply their knowledge of genetic engineering to solve...
Lesson Plan
Serendip

Soap Opera Genetics – Genetics to Resolve Family Arguments

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Did she cheat on her husband? Did the hospital switch the babies? Should they have children? As much as this sounds like the plot for a soap opera, all of these questions fit into a single lesson on genetics. Scholars read about three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics Edited: Translation and Review

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils complete a short review on the relationship between RNA and DNA. As a class, they take notes on the processes of translation and identify examples. To end the lesson, they complete a genetic code worksheet and share their answers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA Code

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students synthesize information gathered from the web on reading the DNA code. In this upper-level biology lesson plan, students use an online resource to gain information about DNA codes and then create posters on what they have...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cracking the Code - Cloning Paper Plasmid

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students explore the "genetic code." They observe how genes may be manipulated for genetic research, gene cloning, and genetic engineering. In a lab setting, students examine the mechanics involved in cutting and ligating DNAs into a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cracking the Genetic Code

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain what the knowledge of DNA can tell us about ourselves and other organisms and species. They also explore the systematic study of the human genome.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students create a checklist of traits common in all of their families. Uisng a table, they compare and contrast their family members to non-family members. They also review dominant and recessive traits and discuss how knowing about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading the Dna Code: Making Protein

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students study DNA decoding and protein synthesis. They use the amino acid table to translate DNA, break DNA strands into three nucleotide codes, and translate nucleotides into amino acid protein codes. They research the importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SAY IT WITH DNA: Protein Synthesis Tutorial

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore protein synthesis. In this DNA lesson students complete a worksheet and a DNA lab activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Jewels: Building the DNA Model

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students construct segments of DNA to create a piece of jewelry.  In this genetics lesson students create a DNA sequence that they turn into something to wear. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils cut out the nucleotide models and have an opportunity to relax and chat. Using imagination, students pretend to be molecules acting out protein synthesis and whole body movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secret Codes

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Morse code and how it is used.  In this secret codes lesson plan students decode messages, make their own codes and have other students crack the code.    
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secret Codes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students practice writing and decoding secret messages before discussing DNA and its role as a code for making proteins. They translate DNA into RNA and identify the sequence of amino acids to find a secret message. An interactive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protein Synthesis

For Teachers 4th - 7th
In this science related worksheet, students study, locate and answer ten multiple choice questions dealing with protein synthesis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teacher Preparation Notes on Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore genetics through various hands-on activities. In this biology lesson, students predict the probability of offspring genotypes and phenotypes using the Punnett Square. They explain the causes of genetic abnormalities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Did You Get the Message?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate the concept of coding in everyday life from past to present in an audio activity using Morse Code. They study the mechanics of the genetic code.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Translating Genetic Information

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the process of translation. They determine the correct sequencing and present their strands to the class. In addition, they compare normal red blood cells to sickle cells and complete discussion questions.