Download Heredity ~ Genetics

One Stop Shop For Educators
The following instructional plan is part of a GaDOE collection of Unit Frameworks, Performance Tasks, examples of Student
Work, and Teacher Commentary. Many more GaDOE approved instructional plans are available by using the Search Standards
feature located on GeorgiaStandards.Org.
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Life Science- 7th Grade
Unit: Heredity ~ Genetics
Sternberg Task
Inheritance Patterns
Subject Area: Life Science
Grade: 7th
Standards (Content and Characteristics):
S7L3. Students will recognize how biological traits are passed on to successive generations.
a. Explain the role of genes and chromosomes in the process of inheriting a specific trait.
b. Compare and contrast sexual and asexual reproduction in organisms (bacteria, protists,
fungi, plants, & animals).
S7CS6. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
a. Organize scientific information using appropriate simple tables, charts, and graphs,
and identify relationships they reveal.
Enduring Understanding: Many traits of an organism are inherited from its biological parents.
Genes and chromosomes determine the expressions of inherited traits.
Essential Question(s): How can I predict what traits will be passed from one generation to
another? How are genes and chromosomes important in determining heredity traits?
Pre-Assessment: Teacher will make a construction paper box.
http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/coloringpages/l/blboxtemplate.htm The teacher will write a
question about genetics on each side of the cube. Students will work in groups rolling the dice
and answering the questions.
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Life Science  7th Grade  Genetics/Heredity
August 8, 2007 Page 1 of 4
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Life Science- 7th Grade
Outcome /
Performance Level
Indicator
Performance Task:
(Detailed
Description)
Teacher role?
Student role?
ANALYTICAL
Students will analyze
inheritance patterns within
a pedigree chart. (i.e. The
European Royal Family)
PRACTICAL
Students will make and
analyze an illustrated
pedigree chart of a specific
physical trait using
photographs of their family
members. (Possibly using
pictures of teachers family
members if student’s living
arrangement limits his/her
ability to obtain accurate
photographs)
*Teachers would need to be
sensitive to student’s
individual living
arrangements.
Students will be given a
Teacher Role:
completed pedigree that
Introduce concept of
shows a specific trait as it
pedigree as a tool to
is passed from one
trace traits through
generation to another. The
multiple generations.
sex-linked trait of
Provide instruction on
hemophilia as it affects the
the format of pedigree
European Royal Family is
charts (i.e., What the
a good example.
shapes represent, what
shading represents)
Students will analyze the
**Teachers should be
chart and determine the
sensitive to the students’
possible genotypes of the
individual home situations.
parents represented in the
chart.
Student Role:
Students will produce
Teacher Role:
pedigree charts of their
Introduce concept of
family showing easily
pedigree as a tool to
identified genetic traits
trace traits through
such as tongue rolling,
multiple generations.
dimples, attached
Provide instruction on
earlobes, hitchhikers
the format of pedigree
thumb etc.
charts (i.e., What the
Students will take
shapes represent, what
pictures of their family
shading represents)
members to illustrate
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Life Science  7th Grade  Genetics/Heredity
August 8, 2007 Page 2 of 4
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved
CREATIVE
Students will explain how
traits are passed to successive
generations and the roles of
genes and chromosomes in
this process by creating a
children’s book.
Teacher Role:
Monitor student work
Provide individual
instruction as needed.
Student Role:
Students will write and
illustrate a picture book.
The book should include
an explanation of how
traits are passed from one
generation to another.
The main characters of
the story are Mama Gene
and Daddy Gene.
Students will need to be
sure they provide a clear
description of the role
these two main characters
and explain and how their
“marriage” creates a
chromosome.
The setting of the book is
a pedigree chart with the
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Life Science- 7th Grade
Resources
how this trait has passed
characters explaining
Student Role:
through generations.
each component of the
Take the pedigree
chart.
chart provided by your
Students will determine
teacher.
the possible genotype of
each family member.
Students will include an
Record the possible
explanation of sexual vs.
genotypes of each
Students will
asexual reproduction.
member of the family.
choose/create offspring
in the chart that have not
Analyze your chart and
yet married. Provide
Students will present
the genotypes to
them with a fictional
their books to elementary
determine the pattern
spouse and children and
classrooms or to use as
of inheritance of this
predict future
classroom resources for
disorder. Determine if
inheritance patterns.
ELL/SPED students.
it is a dominant gene
disorder, recessive
Students will add these
gene disorder, or sex
mates and future
linked gene disorder.
offspring to the existing
chart and code it
Choose/create
correctly. Provide an
offspring in the chart
explanation for your
that have not yet
prediction making sure
married. Provide them
you include the role of
with a fictional spouse
genes in the explanation.
and children and
predict future
inheritance patterns.
Provide an explanation
for your prediction
making sure you
include the role of
genes in the
explanation.
Add these mates and
future offspring to the
existing chart and code
it correctly.
Pedigree charts,
Pictures, glue, poster board, Paper, pens, markers, binding
Background information.
markers
materials, background
resources
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Life Science  7th Grade  Genetics/Heredity
August 8, 2007 Page 3 of 4
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved
One Stop Shop For Educators
Georgia Performance Standards Framework for Life Science- 7th Grade
Using a Venn Diagram,
Using a Venn Diagram,
Homework/Extension Using a Venn Diagram,
compare and contrast
compare and contrast sexual compare and contrast sexual
sexual and asexual
and asexual reproduction.
and asexual reproduction.
reproduction. Then write
Then write a short summary Then write a short summary
a short summary
explaining why a pedigree
explaining why a pedigree
explaining why a pedigree chart would not be a good
chart would not be a good
chart would not be a good tool to use to trace the
tool to use to trace the
tool to use to trace the
genetics of an organism that genetics of an organism that
genetics of an organism
reproduces asexually but is
reproduces asexually but is a
that reproduces asexually
a good tool to use to trace
good tool to use to trace
but is a good tool to use to generations of organisms
generations of organisms that
trace generations of
that reproduce sexually.
reproduce sexually.
organisms that reproduce
sexually.
List step-by-step directions for task, provide checklists and checkpoints.
Instructional Tasks
Accommodations for Provide written instructions on the format of the pedigree charts.
Allow student to work with an English speaking student.
ELL Students
Extended time will be given to student to complete assignment.
Instructional Tasks
Accommodations for
Students with
Disabilities
Instructional Tasks
Accommodations for
Gifted Students
Allow students to use different colored markers to help with organization. Provide guided
questions to aid students in evaluation/analysis of pedigree chart. Provide step-by-step
checklist to aid in organization and completion of task.
Students can research and present the use of karyotypes in genetics. Students can
complete various karyotype activities online.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/disorders/karyotype/karyotype.cfm
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/units/disorders/karyotype/
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/human_bio/activities/karyotyping/karyotyping.html
Georgia Department of Education
Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Life Science  7th Grade  Genetics/Heredity
August 8, 2007 Page 4 of 4
Copyright 2007 © All Rights Reserved