Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Variation and Heredity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Junior geneticists tally eye color and height in their lab groups. They examine certain traits in soybean and corn seedlings. For each activity, they gather data and learn about continuous and discontinuous genetic variation. In another...
Lesson Plan
University of Washington

Pasta Genetics

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Four different-shaped and dyed pasta types represent four different alleles. Following a guide sheet, young geneticists practice randomly selecting alleles and discover the traits of the resulting offspring. This is a fun and solid...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where'd You Get Those Genes?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Really a unit, this resource exposes middle schoolers to genetics at their level. They read interviews and biographies, trace a family tree, play games that simulate inheritance concepts, and more! Teacher's procedures, student...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetics and Heredity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study genetics and heredity. They explore the structure of DNA and genes through a series of activities that includes watching videos, conducting online research, and making vocabulary books. They investigate DNA,...
Lesson Plan
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Got Lactase? The Co-Evolution of Genes and Culture

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
Does the human body evolve as quickly as human culture? With a stellar 15-minute video, explore the trait of lactose intolerance. Only about 1/3 of human adults seem to still have the enzyme lactase and therefore, the ability to digest...
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

The Human Genotype

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Six different chromosome activites introduce biology aces to heredity, chromosomal abnormalities, sex-linked traits, and the human genome. The hands-on activites are fairly simple for the teacher to prepare and will prove to be both...
Lesson Plan
University of Washington

Toothpick Fish

For Teachers 6th - 8th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heredity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this science worksheet, students find the answers to various types of heredity problems. They use the sheet to set goals for completing the unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patterns of Heredity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers describe the differences between incomplete dominance and codominant alleles, and between multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance. They describe how internal and external environments affect gene expression. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genetic Disorders

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss traits, traits that are inherited and how genes and chromosomes carry the code for traits. They research genetic disorders and their link to chromosome abnormalites and write a report on their findings. which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GMOs: Should We Grow Them?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the ethics of biotechnology and genetically modifying various organisms. They complete various activities and labs on GMOs and then write a position paper regarding their individual opinions on the subject.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chromosomes

For Teachers K - 12th
Students explore genetics, chromosomes and DNA.  In this genetics lesson students design a chromosome and identify a family tree through genetics. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ladder of Life

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars explain the concepts of what DNA is and where it is located in a cell, identify the two types of molecules that make up the rungs of a DNA molecule and identify the two types of Purine and Pyrimidine molecules
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Activity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students demonstrate the genetic principles of Heredity. They discover that each species has a unique Genetic fingerprint and that people can use "Genetic fingerprints" to solve a number of problems. They discuss examples of uses of DNA...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whose DNA Is That?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the use of technology in order to identify different sequences of amino acids by using online web tools. They enhance problem solving skills with amino acid identification skills and strengthening comfort with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cell Reproduction and Inheritance

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students determine their inherited characteristics from their parents. In this biology instructional activity, students study the life of Mendel using an interactive website. They differentiate dominant and recessive characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the history, inheritance and mutations of genetics.  In this genetic lesson students complete experiments on DNA sequences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Chips" Off the Old Block?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students study using analogies between common items or occurrences and science concepts. They use the analogy of cookie recipes to that of the DNA "recipes" for living things to help us explain more about mutations.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Cats, Dogs,and Dragons. Oh My!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This is a technology-based, hands-on Biology lesson on Heredity and Traits. Young scholars learn about the basics of Heredity through a virtual tour and then work to create their own dragon based on the inheritance of traits.(Adapted...