SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Grade/Subject
Topic
Task Title
Pacing
Grades 9-10: HS-LS3.A Inheritance of Traits
Genetic Condition Research
From Genes to Genetic Conditions
2-Week Period
Task Overview
Students will take on the role of a genetic researcher/genetic counselor to become an expert about
one genetic condition of their choice. They will use valid research processes and techniques to gain
this knowledge. They will transfer what they have learned to an audience of their peers.
Presentations could include a “PowerPoint, Prezi, Poster, Role-play, etc.”
In high school, students need to be able to clarify the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the
instructions for traits, which are passed from parent to offspring. Students also need to understand
that inheritance of certain traits and the environment could affect the overall quality of life. This will
help them make informed decisions about their health and the health of their potential offspring.
Essential Question(s)
How does analyzing and interpreting DNA lead to a greater understanding of living things?
How do genetic variations and mutations contribute to the evolution of living things?
NGSS Performance
Expectations / CT Framework
for Science
HS-LS3-1: Ask questions to
clarify relationships about the
role of DNA and chromosomes
in coding the instructions for
characteristic traits passed from
parents to offspring.
10.4 (D39) - Genetic
disorders/infectious disease
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Science & Engineering
Practices
Analyzing & Interpreting Data
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Crosscutting Concepts
LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits
Patterns
LS3.B: Variations of Traits
CCS Core Literacy Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.910.4
Determine the meaning of
symbols, key terms, and other
domain-specific words and
phrases as they are used in a
specific scientific or technical
context relevant to grades 9-10
texts and topics.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.910.7
Translate quantitative or
technical information expressed
in words in a text into visual
form (e.g., a table or chart) and
translate information expressed
visually or mathematically (e.g.,
in an equation) into words.
CCSS.WHST.9-10.6
Use technology, including the
Internet, to produce, publish,
and update individual or shared
writing products, taking
advantage of technology's
capacity to link to other
information and to display
information flexibly and
dynamically.
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
CCSS.WHST.9-10.7
Conduct short as well as more
sustained research projects to
answer a question (including a
self-generated question) or
solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when
appropriate; synthesize multiple
sources on the subject,
demonstrating understanding of
the subject under investigation.
CCSS.WHST.9-10.8
Gather relevant information
from multiple authoritative print
and digital sources, using
advanced searches effectively;
assess the usefulness of each
source in answering the
research question; integrate
information into the text
selectively to maintain the flow
of ideas, avoiding plagiarism
and following a standard format
for citation.
CCSS.WHST.9-10.9
Draw evidence from
informational texts to support
analysis, reflection, and
research.
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
ISTE Standards
(http://www.iste.org/standards/n
ets-for-students.aspx)
After reading their descriptions,
check those that apply to
performance task.
☐ Creativity
X Communication and
Collaboration
X Research and
Information Fluency
X Critical Thinking,
Problem Solving, and
Decision Making
☐ Digital Citizenship
X Technology Operations
and Concepts
K-D-U
DO
KNOW
Facts, formulas, information, vocabulary
Skills of the discipline, social skills, production
skills, processes (usually verbs/verb phrases)
Hint: Use the standards!
● Essential Vocabulary: Deoxyribonucleic
acid, genetics, trait, genotype, phenotype,
allele, karyotype, pedigree, dominant,
recessive, Punnett Square, homozygous,
heterozygous.
● A chromosome is a single long DNA
molecule.
● Each gene is a specific segment of DNA.
● Instructions for characteristics are carried
in DNA.
● The phenotype of an organism is based on
Students will:
> Model DNA and chromosomes
Interpret a karyotype diagram.
> Interpret patterns of inheritance within a family
using a pedigree chart.
> Identify the probable mode of inheritance of
traits (e.g. recessive/ dominant, autosomal/sexlinked).
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
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the genotype.
Mutations could include insertion, deletion
or substitution of segments of DNA
molecules.
An altered gene may be passed on to
every cell that develops from it.
Altered genes may result in traits that help,
harm, or have little or no effect on the
offspring’s success in its environment.
All cells in an organism have the same
genetic content but the genes used may
be regulated in different ways.
Not all DNA codes for protein, some are
involved in regulation or structure.
Some DNA sections have no function.
Many characteristics involve both
inheritance and environment.
Mutations, inherited traits and the
environment influence evolutionary
processes.
The role of a genetic counselor.
The relevance and importance of a
symposium.
> Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce, publish, and update individual or shared
writing products.
> Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including
a self-generated question) or solve a problem.
> Gather relevant information, assess the
usefulness and integrate it into the text
selectively to maintain the flow of ideas.
> Draw evidence from informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research.
UNDERSTAND
Big ideas, generalizations, principles, concepts,
ideas that transfer across situations
Students will understand that…
● Inheritance of certain traits can affect the
overall quality of life.
● Researching various informational texts
can give them a comprehensive analysis
of a topic and provide greater
understanding.
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Notes for Teachers
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This is intended as an open-ended, student-centered authentic task.
Teachers can collaborate with the media specialist concerning research techniques.
Teachers can scaffold materials and resources based on students’ individual needs.
Rubric for conducting research and presentations could be modified based on students’ needs.
Possible Student Misconceptions
Students may believe that:
● There is no relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes.
● Genes are not segments with a specific location on a DNA molecule and that genes are just
structures peppered throughout a DNA molecule.
● The DNA molecule is not universally found in all living organisms.
● Different types of DNA exist in humans, plant, and animals.
● All mutations are bad.
● All mutations occur after birth.
● All Internet sources are reliable.
● Citing sources correctly is not important.
Materials & Resources
Useful Links:
http://www.edheads.org/activities/dna/index.shtml
Edheads is an online educational resource that provides free science and math games and activities that
promote critical thinking. Choose from Simple Machines, Virtual Knee Surgery or Stem Cell Heart Repair,
among others. All activities meet state and national standards.
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/
This is the McGraw-Hill Biology website that includes Virtual Laboratory Links, provides students
opportunities to quickly review the complex concepts of biology and supplemental materials that allow
teachers to differentiate in their classrooms. All activities meet state and national standards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezq1fFUEA&index=9&list=PL3EED4C1D684D3ADF
Crash course is a very helpful cite to reinforce the concepts of Heredity.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/molecules/builddna/
Build a DNA molecule.
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Chromosomal Abnormalities Prezi:
https://prezi.com/y7_-iiu2ny3c/ap-bio-information-8-chromosomalabnormalities/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Dolan DNA Learning Center
http://www.dnalc.org/
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Directions for Students
From Genes to Genetic Conditions
You will take on the role of genetic researcher or
a genetic counselor. Your task is to research
different types of genetic conditions and choose
one that interests you. You will conduct
extensive research and collect evidence-based
information about the condition and create a
presentation.
Prepare a comprehensive presentation about
one genetic condition. This
will be shared during a “Genetic Condition
Symposium” which is geared towards an
audience of health care providers, genetic
researchers, and the general public.
Your presentation must include the following:
● An overview about the condition
● Symptoms
● Types of tests to diagnose the condition
● Medical treatments
● Current advances in research
● Support structure available for patients
and their families
● Preventative measures
Rubric
See attachment
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SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
Suggested Inquiry-Based
Instruction/Activities
In order to learn:
Students might:
(Learning identified in KDU)
(One or more learning experiences)
Identify dominant and recessive alleles and the
phenotype of an organism is based on the
genotype.
Punnett Squares
Students will come up with their own variables in
determining the genotype and phenotype of
organisms.
Determine amino acid sequences that code for
proteins.
Protein Synthesis Inquiry-Based Activity
Students will make up their own DNA template
and then transcribe it into an RNA template, and
determine which amino acids are coded through
this process.
Possible Student-Generated Inquiry
Experiences
Students can:
● Watch a TED talk and get an overview of
a presentation.
● Engage in virtual trips to a medical
symposium using various websites.
● E-mail a genetic counselor at a local
hospital and get feedback about the
condition they are researching.
● http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEP
C/WWC/1994/codon_bingo.php
DNA bingo game. This game is designed
by students and will provide several
opportunities to understand mutations and how
they present themselves into Genetic disorders
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© 2013 All Rights Reserved ACES Regional Curriculum Consortium
SCIENCE GRADES 9-10: INHERITANCE OF TRAITS
PERFORMANCE TASK
10 | INHERITANCE OF TRAITS PERFORMANCE TASK
© 2013 All Rights Reserved ACES Regional Curriculum Consortium