Alexandra Schoessler

New American Lecture

Genetics
One 50 min class period
7th Grade
Life Science

STANDARDS/ELEMENTS: CCGPS, GPS/GSE (where applicable) and TAG Standards

S7L3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain how organisms reproduce either sexually or asexually and transfer
genetic information to determine the traits of their offspring.
a. Construct an explanation supported with scientific evidence of the role of genes and chromosomes in the process of
inheriting a specific trait.
b. Develop and use a model to describe how asexual reproduction can result in offspring with identical genetic information
while sexual reproduction results in genetic variation. (Clarification statement: Models could include, but are not limited to, the use
of monohybrid Punnett squares to demonstrate the heritability of genes and the resulting genetic variation, identification of
heterozygous and homozygous, and comparison of genotype vs. phenotype.)

Advanced Communication Skills (ACS) Elements

1. The student uses written, spoken, and technological media to convey new learning or challenge existing ideas.
8. The student participates in small group discussions to argue persuasively or reinforce others’ good points.

ENDURING UNDERSTANDING(s):
Scientists study and compare organisms to make sense of how our body and that of other organisms function.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION(s)
What are some benefits of polygenic inheritance and multiple alleles within the human body as compared to simple genetics.

TEACHER LESSON PREPARATION

- Make sure powerpoint is ready
- Make copies of handout

ACTIVATING STRATEGY
Review with the students using their white-boards to answer the questions on the board. Once the review is over, ask the students if they know
their blood types – as the students talk about what blood type they are, write them down on the board. Ask the student how many alleles they
see present on the board for blood type?

Instructional Sequence and Activities including use of technology

Use the blood type questions to bridge into the concept of multiple alleles. Follow the powerpoint talking about Multiple Alleles and blood types.
Keep the students involved by allowing them to ask questions or share stories related to the topic. For the first multiple alleles practice (slide 9),
complete the first one all together then have them do the second on their own. Once they are finished, have a volunteer come up and complete
the second one on the board.

Pause #1
Allow for multiple students to answer each question (keep time in mind)

Continue with lecture on polygenic inheritance. Once again, keep the students involved by allowing them to ask questions or share stories
related to the topic.

Amoeba sister is an excellent review and will be a great way for duel coding the information.

Pause #2
Students will have a section on their paper to answer the questions, they have to choose one of the sections to complete and are given about 5-
7 minutes to complete it. Once time is up, students are to share at their table and then given the opportunity to share in front of the class.

Complete the practice with the students as before. Do the first one with them and then have them complete the other two on their own and have
a volunteer come up to the board to share their answer.
Assessment Strategies
Students will be informally assessed through class discourse and their responses to the questions throughout the lesson. Students will also be
assessed based on their homework they are assigned that night – reviewing multiple alleles and recognizing the difference between multiple
alleles and polygenic inheritance.

Differentiation
This lesson is differentiated in the fact that it addresses multiple learning styles by utilizing auditory and kinesthetic learning during the lesson as
well as the use of a video to reinforce the concepts. Students also get to choose which questions to answer during the “pause” sections – allow
them to choose according to their own preferences or strengths.

Materials/Links/Text References/Resources
Powerpoint
Notes Sheet