Punnett Square Chutes & Ladders

3/15/2018

NGSS Dimensions: Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Disciplinary Core Idea: LS3 - Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Sub-Idea: LS3.A - Inheritance of Traits
Each chromosome consists of a single very long DNA molecule, and each gene on the chromosome is a particular segment of that DNA. The instructions for forming species’ characteristics are carried in DNA. All cells in an organism have the same genetic ...
Crosscutting Concept: Systems and System Models
Models (e.g., physical, mathematical, computer models) can be used to simulate systems and interactions—including energy, matter, and information flows—within and between systems at different scales.
Science and Engineering Practice: Using mathematics and computational thinking
Use mathematical, computational, and/or algorithmic representations of phenomena or design solutions to describe and/or support claims and/or explanations.
Lesson Objective(s):
SWABT Solve mono and dihybrid cross questions involving genes or alleles that are 1. autosomal dominant, 2. incompletely dominant, 3. codominant, 4. sex-linked, and 5. multiallelic by playing a “Chutes and Ladders” board-game style activity in teams.
Engagement: Describe how you will capture students’ interest.
The daily objective will be posted along with an opening task that is based on prior learning about Punnett squares and Mendel’s Law of Independent assortment.
Exploration: Describe what hands-on/minds-on activities students will be doing.
Students will work in teams to solve Punnett square-based genetics problems in the context of a game.
Explanation: Describe how students will make sense of their exploration.
Elaboration: Describe how students will develop a more sophisticated understanding.
Evaluation: Describe how students will demonstrate that they have achieved the lesson objective(s).
Individual student solutions will be evaluated and corrected if needed. A formal evaluation of student learning will be made by way of a quiz consisting of similar problems tomorrow.
Homework: Describe how students will reinforce past learning and/or prepare for future learning.