Marisol Cuddie

Nov. 11, 2014

Unit Title: Genetics: What Unifies and Diversifies Life

Grade: 8th
Length: 2 weeks
Essential Question(s):
1) Why do we look different from one another? Why do you resemble your parents and
siblings but look different?
2) What controls the inheritance of traits in organisms?
3) What is meant by genotype and phenotype?
Colorado State Standards:
Content Area: Science
Standard 2: Life Science
1. Organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information (genes) to offspring,
which influences individuals traits in the next generation.
Unit Goals:
1) By the end of the first week, students will be able to identify the differences and
similarities between mitosis and meiosis.
2) By the end of the first week, students will be able to connect cell division with the way
genes are transmitted from one generation to the next.
3) By the end of the unit, students will be able to predict how frequently certain traits appear
in the offspring using the patterns of inheritance.
Unit Assessments:
Pre-assessment: several vocabulary words related to genetics (genotype, phenotype,
codominance, sex linked) will be written on the board. Students will be able to discuss in pairs
the possible meaning of these words, and share with the rest of the class. Also, what cells do
usually undergo mitosis? What cells undergo meiosis?
Homework Assignment: Students will be required to do a graphic organizer sorting the
differences and similarities between mitosis and meiosis. Another homework assignment will be

in the form of a pedigree chart that will need the assistance of parents, where students will
choose one or two traits (eye color, hair texture) to follow through a few generations.
Build the Phase: an assessment where students will be required to build the phase of mitosis or
meiosis assigned to them with the aid of several props provided by me. Students who are not
building the phase will provide feedback to the student who is being tested.
Mid-unit check: It will consist of a short multiple choice test, where knowledge of genetics
vocabulary, and Mendelian genetics will be tested.
Unit Evaluation: The students will craft a tagged graphic organizer where they will summarize
all activities and material covered in class. A picture that best explains the main topic (genetics)
will be drawn in the front, and each tag will be focused on one of the main concepts studied
during this unit (mitosis, meiosis, Mendels experiments and laws)
Unit Overview:
In this unit students will investigate why and how certain traits are passed from parents to their
offspring. They will learn to use and apply the rules of probability to solve complicated genetics
problems, and understand why they are unique. At the same time, students will be able to
connect the genetic code as the unifying and diversifying factor for all organism, and will be able
to recognize where genetic variety comes from, and deduce that mutation is not always bad.
They will be able to understand the importance of genetics in everyday life and how it affects to
each one of them individually, but also how the environment and lifestyle can have an impact on
their genes and on the genes of future generations.
Main Idea(s):
1) Every organism has a genetic code that is passed along to its offspring. This genetic code
is universal and unifies life, but it is also the source of the diversity of life.
Unit Calendar:
Lesson 1: Pre-assessment will be given at the beginning of class. A brief overview of the unit
will be presented. This lesson will begin to cover mitosis and a short video will be played.
Several vocabulary words will be presented and students will be required to copy these on their
notes. Activity: crossword puzzle with genetics vocabulary.
Lesson 2: In this lesson we will review what we learned about mitosis so far and finish the study
of all its phases. We will start the study of meiosis, always comparing it with what we know

about mitosis. Students will have a homework assignment (graphic organizer), comparing the
two processes. Activity: computer simulation of mitosis and meiosis.
Lesson 3: Knowing the process of meiosis, we will start the study of genetic variation and how it
arises from different sources (crossing over). We will study in detail what are homologous
chromosomes, and we will be able to distinguish between maternal and paternal chromosomes.
Activity: computer simulation II- mitosis and meiosis differentiating maternal and paternal
chromosomes.
Lesson 4: Introduction to Mendelian Genetics. Inheritance hypotheses before Mendel. Mendels
experiments with peas, why peas? Students will be able to identify between first generation,
second generation, true breeding, and hybrids, as well as the difference between character and
trait. SpongeBob activity sheet with Punnet square.
Lesson 5: Mendels Law of Segregation and Mendels model. We will be working more with
Punnet squares and be able to identify the difference between genotype and phenotype. Activity:
using Punnet squares students will predict the genotype that arises from a given phenotype.
Lesson 6: Multiple choice test will be given at the beginning of the lesson. We will learn how to
determine the genotype of a mystery organism (the test cross). We will study Mendels Law of
Independent Assortment. Activity: we will work again on activity from previous day, but this
time students will apply the test cross to determine the genotype.
Lesson 7: Bug Building Lab- with 14 different bags, each one containing one allele for the father
and one allele for the mother, for 7 different characteristics, the students will draw an allele
combination and record the information in the chart provided. Students will use Punnet squares
to deduce the phenotype of the bug offspring and will build it accordingly to their results.
Lesson 8: The laws of probability govern Mendelian inheritance. The students will be able to
apply the rules of probability (multiplication rule, addition rule) to solve more complicated
genetics problems. Introduction to dominance. Activity: yellow, black, and chocolate Labradors.
Lesson 9: We will study in depth the significance of dominance and the various degrees of it, and
how it affects the expression of certain genes. Sex- linked traits will be introduced and we will
review a pedigree on hemophilia (activity). Second homework assignment will be given (create
their own pedigree chart).
Lesson 10: We will review the material learned during this unit through several games and
worksheets. This will serve to reinforce the concepts studied throughout these two weeks, and to

be able to demonstrate the students knowledge and application of it. We will talk about recent
advances in genetics and how our environment has an impact on it (epigenetics). The final
assignment, which will serve as summative assessment, will be given to the students, and will
need to be turned in the following week.
Resources Needed:
Computer, projector, markers, poster board, SpongeBob activity sheet, lab handout, pedigree
template, final review worksheets, build the phase props.