Students predict possible phenotypic and genotypic outcomes for avariety of common plant hybrids. They review and explain the characteristics of dominant and recessive traits and explore Mendelian genetics. Students plot the possible...

Students discuss inherited traits and relate to the inherited traits in a cicada.  In this cicada lesson plan, students follow the life cycle of the cicada and observe the changes as it grows. Students discuss the characteristics of...

Fifth graders work together to make simple menus more interesting by adding descriptive words. This plan works well with the Six Traits of Writing as it covers the trait of word choice. This is a really fun way for students to practice...

Young scholars learn that heredity comes down to the flip of a coin with this cross-curricular math and science lesson. Using smiley faces as a model, students toss coins to determine which dominant or recessive traits...

A two-page instructional activity provides seven Punnett squares for practice in determining genotypes and phenotypes. Each is an example of incomplete dominance or codominance. After your bright biologists have mastered Punnett squares,...

Rotating through five stations, evolutionary biologists explore the question of how changes in DNA facilitate the changes in a population over time. High-quality, colorful cards of animals, skeletons, skulls, and DNA sequences can all be...

In this reading response worksheet, students fill out a character trait chart about one character in a story they have read. Students list the traits they see and describe how these traits are revealed through events, actions, words,...

Using plastic Easter eggs to represent parent phenotypes, genetics enthusiasts simulate the passing of alleles. They record the phenotype of each half of the egg, one representing the mother's and one representing the father's. They...

Four intriguing and scientific activities invite learners to explore the natural resources of their town. The activities cover concepts such as genetic traits, organizing species in a taxonomy, the differences between different species...

It's alive! Turn young biologists into mad scientists with this engaging genetics activity. Using their knowledge of chromosomes and genes, high schoolers create dragons with unique sets of traits,...

Compare what shells look like on the outside with what makes that happen on the inside. Scholars begin by sorting an various seashells by their physical characteristics into phylogenetic trees. They then conduct a DNA comparison of...

Familiar puppets set the stage for a thoughtful discussion about friendship. To show what they know, scholars role-play scenarios. Peers offer a thumbs up when they view positive character traits exhibit good friend behavior.  

Students create a checklist of traits common in all of their families. Uisng a table, they compare and contrast their family members to non-family members. They also review dominant and recessive traits and discuss how knowing about...

Groups become experts in one aspect of the six traits of writing, prepare a PowerPoint presentation, jigsaw, and teach others about their trait. Writers then focus on these traits as they compose a persuasive essay about a person they...

Young writers choose a person from American history, their community, or their family to use as the subject of a persuasive essay. The process begins with a discussion of the characteristics of a hero, the completion of a prewriting web,...

Learners supplement their study of genetics by collecting and analyzing information about their own and their classmates' characteristics and traits. Students create a database of traits and characteristics to compare and contrast.

A set of phenotypes is listed for mice, flowers, blood type, and plants. For each, biology buffs analyze the percentages of phenotypes in the offspring and then identify the genotypes of the parents. This is a different approach to...

Use drawings as inspiration. Have learners doodle for 10 minutes before beginning the lesson. Then, have them use their doodles to inspire a story. Several writing activities are included here to play with writing. One of my favorites...

What does it mean to "be of good character"? What are the qualities that define such a person? The 1825 Colonization Law of Coahuila y Texas required that all new immigrants into Mexican Texas present documentation that they were of...

Students explore basic concepts of heredity and collaborate to see genetics in action through several activities provided in the lesson. Inherited traits are examined and identified as dominant or recessive.

Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this citizenship lesson, students collaborate to compile a list of the top ten traits of good citizens. Young scholars then discuss random acts of kindness and create a plan to share...

Ninth graders explore the meaning of the term philanthropy.  In this Social Studies lesson, 9th graders research examples of people that represent good citizens.  Students create a skit that demonstrates a specific...

Students discuss character traits, and complete a character map and a Venn diagram for selected characters in their assigned text.

Students discuss historical accounts and accomplishments of "Benjamin Franklin" which exemplify good character traits. They create a display of paper keys which describe these traits. They relate these traits to their future goals and...