Lesson 2 : Inheritance (Mendel and his Experiments)
WHAT IS INHERITANCE?
Inheritance is the passing of traits from the parent to the offspring's. Our genetic code defines our traits. There are thousands of genes which are made up of unique sequences of DNA and are condensed to form a chromosome structure which contain multiple traits. The environment is also a big factor in the characteristics of our traits.
MINDS ON:
In this minds-on activity, students will get the chance to be exposed to classical genetics in relation to their own bodies. This activity is important as it discloses key concepts such as hereditary, dominant versus recessive, alleles and the passing of traits along three generations. It allows students the chance to interact with the class as well as with their parents at home in order to identify what their off springs will look like. The activity also allows for creativity as students are allowed to draw their baby which can be placed around the class to demonstrate student work and learning.
The minds on activity above could be challenging for some students to follow as they might not make the links in hereditary. One way to help these students is to debrief after or during regulation of the activity. For a college or applied classes, a similar but modified activity is suggested. This activity is much more simplified and straight forward, and allows students to be exposed to more concepts including phenotype, genotypes, chromosomes, heterozygous, homozygous, genes, and much more. It is also less time consuming, but might need some consolidation after the activity.
The minds on activity above could be challenging for some students to follow as they might not make the links in hereditary. One way to help these students is to debrief after or during regulation of the activity. For a college or applied classes, a similar but modified activity is suggested. This activity is much more simplified and straight forward, and allows students to be exposed to more concepts including phenotype, genotypes, chromosomes, heterozygous, homozygous, genes, and much more. It is also less time consuming, but might need some consolidation after the activity.
create_a_baby_lab.doc | |
File Size: | 187 kb |
File Type: | doc |
PEDAGOGY:
Once students have had the chance to play around with concepts such as phenotype, genotypes, chromosomes, heterozygous, homozygous, genes, dominant and recessive; providing the information in a different format is a great way to impact all types of learners. This is were it is suggested that a powerpoint or prezi be used so that visual and linguistic learners can benefit, as well as the other students in the class. Have the PowerPoint include information such as gametes, traits, alleles, phenotype, genotypes, chromosomes, heterozygous, homozygous, genes, dominant and recessive with lots of visuals.
After recapping the information, teachers can give students this introduction to monohybrid crosses activity to allow students to apply their knowledge they have learned today. This activity reviews all the concepts learned and links the process of meiosis to the process of inheritance. It is very difficult for students to grasp this connection but this activity takes students step by step through the process. Students also get the chance to be introduced to monohybrid crosses which is the next lesson. This exercise systematically take students progressively through understanding of inheritance for one trait.
After recapping the information, teachers can give students this introduction to monohybrid crosses activity to allow students to apply their knowledge they have learned today. This activity reviews all the concepts learned and links the process of meiosis to the process of inheritance. It is very difficult for students to grasp this connection but this activity takes students step by step through the process. Students also get the chance to be introduced to monohybrid crosses which is the next lesson. This exercise systematically take students progressively through understanding of inheritance for one trait.
CONSOLIDATION:
To assess the amount of learning that has occurred during this lesson, an exceptional online tool to use is poll everywhere. This tool allows students to use their electronic devices to answer questions that a teacher would like the know. This could be questions related to knowledge, thinking, communication or application. The questions can also be related to the activity.
Another great assessment tool is socrative. Here teachers can create quizes and get feedback from the students as to how they felt about the lesson. This tool is very flexible in its use and is highly recommended. It also allows students to use their electronic devices for the purpose of learning. Socrative gives direct feedback to the teacher through mail or excel instantly allowing teachers to get direct instant feedback on the lesson.