LEARNING ABOUT OUR HEREDITY: FAMILY TRAITS & DNA (4HT/5TH GRADES)

This heredity and genetics unit for 4th and 5th graders includes seven comprehensive lessons designed to engage students in understanding basic genetics, traits, and family history. Each lesson covers key concepts like dominant and recessive traits, DNA structure, inherited vs. learned traits, and the use of family trees and pedigrees to track traits across generations. Students will complete hands-on activities such as creating DNA models, conducting class trait surveys, and building their own family trees. Correlating templates for each activity, including blank family trees, DNA models, and trait tracking charts, help reinforce understanding. The unit concludes with assessments, including quizzes, short answer questions, and a project where students apply their knowledge by presenting their family trait research or fictional animal pedigree. This unit blends interactive learning with foundational genetics concepts to ensure students grasp heredity’s role in everyday life.

THIS 100 PAGE, READY TO USE, RESOURCE INCLUDES:

• Vocabulary words
• (7) lesson plans with additional templates, experiments & assignments
• Activities and projectsm (10+)
• Recommended assessments throughout unit

Lessons Included:

1. Introduction to Heredity
2. Constructing Family Trees
3. Understanding DNA and Genes
4. Exploring Genetic Traits
5. Variation in Traits: Dominant & Recessive Alleles
6. Hands-On Genetic Experiments
7. Presenting Family Tree Findings

Each lesson can be used as a springboard for additional learning, classwork & homework, and STEM activities.