7th Grade Science Guide

7.4: Reproduction & Inheritance 3 Dimensions & Progressions

Unit 5

and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Activity: Sexual Reproduction & Genetic Variation

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can explain how sexual reproduction produces genetic variation.

●​ Students will obtain, evaluate and

●​ Lesson plan

communicate information about what happens during fertilization by discussing informational text.

Activity: Inventory of my Traits

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can explain that traits are observable characteristics that are

●​ Students take an

●​ Lesson plan

inventory of their own easily observable genetic traits. Working in small groups, they observe how their trait inventories differ from those of others. Students record their observations in a data table and make a bar graph to show the most and least common traits in the group.

passed down from parent to child.

Activity: Building a Twidgie

Objective

Overview

Materials

●​ I can explain how traits are passed from parent to offspring.

●​ Students will be

●​ Lab Sheet ●​ Twidgie traits ●​ Twidgie chromosomes

introduced to simple genetics through creating an organism, called a Twidgie, by using its’ parents traits and recognizing patterns in certain traits outcomes.

●​ Marshmallows ●​ Pipe-cleaners ●​ Toothpicks ●​ Tacks ●​ Markers