AH+Lesson+3+Mendelian+Genetics


====**ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:** Gregor Mendel is known as the father of modern genetics. The ways in which he discovered his principles are an inspiration to all scientists. He worked diligently for years in order to formulate the ideas that still guide our understanding of genetics. Along with information about Mendel, basic genetic terminology provides the platform for further studies into genetics. All knowledge has to start somewhere, and a basic understanding of mendelian genetics is a good place to start. ====


====**RATIONALE:** This lesson is important because it follows that after students learn about chromosomes and cell division, they should have some outlet by which to apply that knowledge. The way that students apply information about cell division and chromosomes is through genetics. Before the students get too involved in genetic problems, it is important that they understand how all of our knowledge about genetics came to be and become fluent with the language. Students should have an appreciation for the work that Gregor Mendel performed using simple pea plants at a monastery. This lesson truly shows the nature of science and how science is a human endeavor. ====

 G.3.1 To analyze Gregor Mendel’s contributions to genetics

 **RESEARCH ON BEST PRACTICES:**
====Haga (2006) states that education in the areas of genetics starts with educating the teachers. Within the article, she gives several good resources for teachers to use to fully understand the topics themselves before trying to teach their students, and she provides many ideas for how to improve high school genetics education. One of her biggest points is to make the lesson show connections to the students’ lives or to other disciplines. Having the students write about their knowledge incorporates English, doing probability incorporates mathematics. There are many more examples of what teachers can do in order to ensure that their students learn, but perhaps the most important advice reminds teachers that science should be entertaining and engaging. Science was not meant to be learned from a text book. It was meant to be talked about and used in practical situations. ====


====** SOUTH DAKOTA CONTENT STANDARDS: ** ====


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 * **Nature of Science**
 * 9-12.N.1.2. Students are able to describe the role of observation and evidence in the development and modification of hypotheses, theories, and laws.



 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> ** Unifying Concepts and Processes **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> ** History and Nature of Science ** **Standards**
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">9-12 Science as a human endeavor
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">9-12 Nature of scientific knowledge

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">7.) What does it mean to be recessive or dominant?
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**EMBEDDED / FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES:**
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> During the white-board exercise and the Pictionary game, I will be monitoring student understanding. I will be able to see student’s responses during the white-board activity, and I will walk around and watch each of the groups play Pictionary. While the students are researching Gregor Mendel, I will be walking around and talking to the students about what information they have found and observing their progress toward finding the essential material. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**INSTRUCTOR MATERIALS:**

 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Computer ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Projector ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Genetic Terminology Matching Worksheet Answers ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Set of genetic terms on note cards for Pictionary, one set per group (7) ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Mendel letter writing prompt ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Extra resources for student research ====

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 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Biology textbook ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Notebook ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Writing Utensil ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Genetic Terminology Matching Worksheet, one per student ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Dry-erase kits- one per student, handed out by teacher ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Computers, one per student ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Textbooks, pamphlets, and other extra resources for research ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Letter prompt, one per student ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**TEACHING NOTES / LESSON SCRIPT / PROCEDURES:**
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> To start the class, students will take a quiz over mitosis and meiosis. Then, students will try and match a list of genetics terms with the correct definition in only 5-10 minutes. Through this activity, I will be able to tell if the students have any prior knowledge of genetics vocabulary. We will go over the correct answers as a class, allowing the students to get the correct definitions for all of the terms. After all of the terminology is defined, the students will practice the terminology using the white-boards. Then, they will play Pictionary in groups, using their new genetics terms. With a firm grasp on the terminology, the students will start their research assignment. In order to learn more about genetic technology and Gregor Mendel and his contributions to genetics, the students will use their textbooks, the Internet, and extra books provided by the teacher to research Gregor Mendel and his work. With their research in mind, the students will compose an epitaph for Mendel, thanking him for his specific contributions to the scientific community. While the students are researching, each student will write down at least ten questions that they have about genetics, and they will be required to answer at least six of those questions before they turn in their assignment. The epitaph and questions activity is intended to be a major research project that is due at the end of the genetics unit. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**ASSESSMENT / HOMEWORK:**

 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Assessment ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Type (D,F,S) ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Goal/Objective ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lesson ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Matching Worksheet ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">D ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.2, O.3.2, O.3.3<span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%;"> ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Beginning of Lesson 3 ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Corrections to Matching Worksheet ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">F ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.2, O.3.2, O.3.3<span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%;"> ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">During 3 ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dry-erase board activity ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">F ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.2, O.3.2, O.3.3<span style="-moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; background: yellow none repeat scroll 0% 50%;"> ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">During 3 ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Terminology Pictionary ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">F ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.2, O.3.2, O.3.3 ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">During 3 ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Observations of Students During Class ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">F ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.1, G.3.2, O.3.1, O.3.2, O.3.3 ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">During 3 ==== ||
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Letter to Mendel ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">S ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">G.3.1, G.3.2, O.3.1, O.3.2, O.3.3 ==== || ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">During 3 and Homework ==== ||

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**ACCOMMODATIONS:**

 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will hand out printed Notes of the terminology for students who have trouble keeping up with notes in class. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will mix difficult and easy problems during the question and answer white-board activity to ensure all students have the opportunity to answer some questions correctly ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will modify the homework for students who do not have a computer available to type their letters so that they can hand-write them. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will design the groups for the Pictionary activity so that students are optimally matched to avoid off-task behavior and to provide some support for students that are struggling in the class. ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will design a webquest about Mendel for those students who have trouble researching without any guidance ====
 * ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> I will be available to the students before and after school to help with the problems and concepts. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**EXTENSIONS:**
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> There are many activities that I could do in order to teach the students about Mendel and genetic terminology. One way of extending the lesson would be to have the students create sentences for each of the genetics terms. That way, they have knowledge of the terms from reading them, drawing them, and applying them to real-life situations. ==== ====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> A way to expand the students’ knowledge of Gregor Mendel would be to have them fill out a personal biography about him with questions such as, “What is Gregor Mendel’s favorite food?” Based on their research students would make educated guesses about Mendel’s personal preferences and justify their answers. For example, students could respond that his favorite food is peas because that is the plant that he used to do all of his research. ====

====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**REFLECTION / REVISION:** This section will be completed after each time I deliver the lesson to continue to improve the lesson and make it as effective and engaging as possible. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">**REFERENCES:**
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dogru-Atay, P., & Tekkaya, C. (2008). Promoting Students' Learning in Genetics With the Learning Cycle. //Journal of Experimental Education//, //76//(3), 259-280. Retrieved from [] ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">
====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Haga, S. (2006). Teaching resources for genetics. //Nature Reviews Genetics//, //7//(3), 223-229. http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.usd.edu, doi:10.1038/nrg1803 ====

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====<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Shields, Martin. (2006). Biology inquiries: Standards-based labs, assessments, and class discussions. San Francisco, CA: Wiley Publishing. ====

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Appendix A- Lesson Activities
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