Heredity, Variations and Mendelian Genetics Learning Activities (Middle School)

This product contains a zip file with ten different activities that provide the basis for a Middle School level Life Science Learning Unit on the topics of Heredity, Variations and Mendelian Genetics. The activities within the file are correlated to the MS-LS 3-1 and MS-LS 3-2 NGSS Learning Standards. Many of the materials are well suited for use in remote learning situations. 

Answer keys are included for all the student activities. The product contains 61 pages of student resources and 138 total PowerPoint slides. The Learning Standards and Learning Goals addressed by these activities can be viewed below the list of activities. 

Genetics beyond Mendelian Genetics is not included in this learning activities package.   Teachers with advanced Middle Level students may wish to consider the Heredity, Variations, Mendelian Genetics and Beyond Learning Activities. That package includes this package as well as activities pertaining to incomplete dominance, codominance, A-B-O blood inheritance and sex-linked crosses.

The activities contained in the zip file are as follows:

• Heredity, Inheritance and Variation in Traits Scaffolded Completion Notes (10 pp.)
• PowerPoint to support the Scaffolded Completion Notes (27 slides)
• Mendelian Genetics Scaffolded Completion Notes (8 pp.)
• PowerPoint to support the Mendelian Genetics Scaffolded Completion Notes (28 slides)
• Inheritance and Variation Worksheet (50 completion questions/multiple choice questions) (5 pp.)
• Genetics Crosses Worksheet 1 (Mendelian Genetics) (47 completion, multiple choice and short answer questions) (9 pp.)
• Genetic Crosses Worksheet 2 (8 crosses and short answer questions) (2 pp.)
• Genetic Crosses Worksheet 2 PowerPoint Key (may be used to review worksheet with students) (9 slides)
• Marshmallow Creatures Genetics Activity (involves reading, writing and manipulation) (12 pages)
• Heredity, Inheritance and Variations in Traits quiz (40 matching, multiple choice and free response questions) (5 pp.)
• Mendelian Genetics Test (50 matching, multiple choice and short response questions) (7 pp.)
• Heredity, Inheritance and Variation Jeopardy (31 questions) (74 slides)
• NGSS, Common Core Learning Standards and Learning Goals (3 pp.)

NGSS Standards

MS-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

MS-LS3-1. Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism.
MS-LS3-2. Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with identical genetic information and sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.

Common Core State Standards Connections:

ELA/Literacy

RST.6-8.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RST.6-8.4 Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6-8 texts and topics.
RST.6-8.7 Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
SL.8.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.

Mathematics

MP.4 Model with mathematics.
6.SP.B.5 Summarize numerical data sets in relation to their context.

Learning Objectives (Heredity, Inheritance and Variation in Traits)

Upon the completion of this unit the student will be able to:

1. define the terms chromosome, gene and allele.
2. discuss the relationship between the cell nucleus, chromosomes and genes.
3. describe the shape of the DNA molecule.
4. briefly explain why DNA replication is important.
5. recognize humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes.
6. explain the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes.
7. discuss differences in sex chromosomes in determining the gender of many people.
8. define the term karyotype.
9. briefly discuss how genes direct protein making by the ribosomes.
10. define the term mutation.
11. recognize the only mutations in gametes are passed on by sexually reproducing offspring.
12. explain how mutations may result in changes in organism traits.
13. recognize the offspring of sexually reproducing parents have many variations from the parents.
14. recognize meiosis is the process producing gametes in animals.
15. discuss two sources of genetic shuffling in meiosis.
16. list three sources of variation in sexually reproducing offspring.
17. define the term crossing over.
18. explain the roles of independent assortment, segregation and recombination in producing genetic variation.
19. define the terms fertilization and zygote.
20. recognize a zygote divides by mitosis to form a multicellular organism.
21. explain how neutral, beneficial and harmful mutations differ.
22. list two examples of helpful mutations.
23. list two examples of harmful mutations.
24. briefly discuss the role of checkpoint proteins.
25. describe some characteristics of cancer.

Learning Objectives (Mendelian Genetics)

Upon the completion of this unit the student will be able to:

1. recognize Mendel was the first person to use mathematics to analyze inherited traits.
2. define the term trait.
3. explain the difference between heredity and genetics.
4. define the terms dominant trait and recessive trait and explain how they are represented in a genetic cross.
5. define the terms genotype and phenotype.
6. define the following terms; homozygous, pure, heterozygous and hybrid.
7. use a Punnett square to represent and solve basic Mendelian crosses.
8. list several reasons Mendel was successful in analyzing the inheritance of garden pea traits.
9. explain what is meant by the parent, F-1 and F-2 generation.
10. explain what a test cross (back cross) is and describe how it is used.
11. state Mendel's law of dominance.
12. state Mendel's law of segregation.
13. relate the processes of segregation and recombination to meiosis and fertilization.
14. state Mendel's law of independent assortment.
15. list an exception to Mendel's law of independent assortment.

Terms of Use

Purchase of the product is for classroom use by the purchaser only. It is a violation for individuals, schools, and districts to redistribute or sell this item on the Internet or to other individuals. I do encourage you to use and edit these documents to suit your needs with your own students in distance learning environments.

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