#3942. Born for Success

Science, level: Senior
Posted Thu Mar 8 15:42:56 PST 2007 by Wendy Senn (sennwg@pickens.k12.sc.us).
Easley High School, Easley, SC
Materials Required: Computer, LCD, and music, paper, colored pencils
Activity Time: 90 minutes
Concepts Taught: The Molecular Basis of Heredity

Born for Success
Objective:
Explain how the transmission of genetic material to offspring occurs through gametes. Explain how this contributes to hereditary characteristics.

Standard: Biology B -- 4.2
Summarize the relationship among DNA, genes, and chromosomes.

Lesson Plan Components Steps Time
Hook:

Pictures of Michael Phelps on the LCD with the ballad from the Olympics playing in the background. Have this playing as the students enter the room. 5 minutes
Instructional Design:

Ask and answer general questions about who Michael Phelps is and what his accomplishments are as an Olympic gold medalist swimmer. Discuss his body characteristics and how his genes are preset for maximum athletic performance. Allow the student some input time.
Use the LCD to project notes on meiosis and how the hereditary information is passed on through gametes. Play a vocabulary game with terms from the unit.
Introduce punnett squares and use fun practice sheets. Some examples of ones the students enjoy are SpongeBob Genetics or Oompah Loompah Genetics. 75 minutes
Closure and evaluation:

Pass Out slips. Have the students write about a trait that is inherited within their family and include something they would like to learn more about next time. 10 minutes