This lesson is designed to help students construct an understanding of how offspring inherit genes from their parents. Students examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait.

This lesson is designed to help students construct an understanding of how offspring inherit genes from their parents. Students examine a fictional pedigree and determine which gene is responsible for a given trait. The genetic information for individuals is depicted as a jigsaw puzzle. Terms that students encounter include gene; chromosome; DNA; pedigree; genotype; phenotype; dominant; and recessive. The lesson could follow instruction on meiosis or stand on its own.

Although this site rates itself at grade 6, the material is sophisticated and usable at 9-12, although it is clearly introductory in nature. One of the activities has students comparing pictures of the student alongside pictures of their parents.

Although this site rates itself at grade 6, the material is sophisticated and usable at 9-12, although it is clearly introductory in nature. One of the activities has students comparing pictures of the student alongside pictures of their parents. In an agricultural setting, this activity could be modified to consider the traits of the animal parent and the traits of its offspring through the use of photographs or actual physical examination. (dam)