5th Grade Science: Genetics
5.L.3 Understand why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based
on the characteristics of the organism.
5.L.3.1 Explain why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the
organism.
5.L.3.2 Give examples of likenesses that are inherited and some that are not.
1. Pre Assessment for Genetics:
Location: Elementary Science Wiki, 5th Grade, Formative Assessment Aligned w/Essential Standards
Unit, Heredity A&D Statements
Description: A quick 8 question Agree/Disagree quiz. Students read a statement about genetics. Students
mark Agree/Disagree/Depends and explain their thinking. Give this as a pre-assessment and a post
assessment to see how their thinking changed after instruction.
2. Teach Genetics
Location: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/heredity/
Description: UNBELIEVEABLE resource of lesson plans from the University of Utah! It includes
detailed lesson plans (meaning they are ready to go. . . you don’t have to figure out what to do or make
recording sheets. . .). 5 lesson plans include: An Inventory of Traits, A Tree of Genetic Traits,
Generations of Traits, Traits Bingo and A Recipe of Traits (I call it “doggie DNA” because kids make a
dog based on inherited traits!) There are also At-Home Activities and additional Teacher Resources.
Overall, a great find!
3. Learn Genetics
Location: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
Description: Another great resource from the University of Utah. Basically, everything you wanted to
know about genetics and then some. The 5th grade appropriate materials, Tour of Basic Genetics and
Characteristics of Inheritance, are slide shows with a text that is read aloud. These could definitely be
used with your students for instruction and note taking. The more advanced materials are more for you
as a teacher to understand the science behind genetics. These materials go beyond the scope of the
objectives we are required to teach.
4. Reading A-Z: What Makes You, You?
Location: http://www.readinga-z.com/
Description: Informational (nonfiction), 1,960 words, Level X (Grade 5)
Have you ever wondered why your eyes are blue and your sibling's are brown? Why a friend can roll his
tongue and you can't? This informative book answers these questions. Readers will also learn about
Compiled and shared by Suzanne Beckman, suzanne.parsons@cms.k12.nc.us, August 7, 2014
dominant and recessive traits and how to use a Punnett square to determine the probability of inheriting
a particular characteristic.
5. Exploring Nature Educational Resources: Genetics for Kids
Location: http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail_index.php?dbID=22&dbType=2t and
http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=22&detID=2290
Description: This terrific website has a wealth of material about many topics, not just genetics! Refocus.
. . The first web address gives links to reading passages about Mendel, Predicting Genetic Traits and
How Animals and Plants Were Domesticated. The second web address contains a Create a Kid Activity,
where students process genetic information to determine if a child will inherit specific physical
characteristics.
6. Paige Keely Probe: Baby Mice
Location: Do a Google search, the web address was 5 lines long!
Description: Presents a situation where a pet mouse has different colored babies in the same litter.
Students select an explanation and describe their thinking for why they selected their answer.
7. Bill Nye, The Science Guy: Genes
Location: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kzt-WJ4-XR0
Description: An interesting introduction to genetics. This video discusses in a sometimes humorous way
the basic ideas behind how genetics work. Some of the material is beyond the scope of the 5th grade
objectives, BUT it’s worth watching for the background information.
8. 4 Part Series (Short Videos) on Genetics
Location: http://www.neok12.com/video/Genetics/zX57774078797d7564675a0a.htm
Description: 4 short videos, less than 5 minutes each. Topics: What are genes? What are SNPs? Where
do your genes come from? What are phenotypes? These videos contain information that will help
students to get a broader view of genetics. Some of the material is beyond the scope of 5th grade
objectives, but worth watching.
9. Your Gemone
Location: http://www.yourgenome.org/landing_teachers.shtml
Description: Here you can find a range of resources from Flash animations to paper and web based
activities, which will support the teaching of topics such as DNA, genes and proteins, cancer and the
Human Genome Project.
Compiled and shared by Suzanne Beckman, suzanne.parsons@cms.k12.nc.us, August 7, 2014