Learning Experience/Unit
Take Me to Sesame Street! by ECSDM
Course, Subject
Biology/Living Environment, Math, Science & Technology, Science (NYS P-12)
Grade Levels
Intermediate, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade
Topic
Genetics (Punnett Squares and Pedigree charts)
Objectives
Students will
- apply concepts learned in genetics, such as Punnett squares and pedigree charts, in creating their own monster family;
- work cooperatively with a partner to create their monster family.
Duration
Approximately 2 weeks (45-minute classes)
Materials
Procedure
BACKGROUND: This lesson should be done as a follow up or as an enrichment project to a lesson on genetics where students will learn about heredity, Punnett squares, and pedigree charts.
- Day One
Do Now: Using the SMART Board, ask students to define "genotype" and "phenotype," and to complete the Punnett square to show the crossing of two Rr parents (Red color). Students will also be asked to give the % probability for the genotype and phenotype. This will serve as a review. (15 minutes)
Introduce the activity with a PowerPoint presentation detailing the objectives of the project. Group students (2 students per group), then hand out packets to students. Assign a Sesame Street couple to each group. (There are 12 possible couples.) Go over the packets. Ask students to view the pictures of the different characters and begin the Genotypes and Phenotypes table. They should also examine the plush toys to help them observe whether the characters' have fingers and toes. They will be asked to use table 1.1 as a reference.(See attached handout.)
- Day Two
Give students 20 minutes to finish the Genotypes and Phenotypes table, then correct this table with students. Ask students to come to the SMART Board to fill in the table. Students should then marry their characters and fill in the "Going to the Chapel" worksheet. If time permits, they can start working on their Punnett squares.
- Day Three-Day Five
If students did not finish "Going to the Chapel" worksheet, students will complete it at this time. Students will work on their Punnett squares. They will also need to complete Punnett Squares worksheets on Eye Shape, Nose, Body Color, Hair Type, Blood Type, Toes and Fingers. In addition, students will be instructed to use "Monster Profiles" to assist them in filling up their worksheets. The profiles indicate which trait is considered homozygous or heterozygous dominant. The profile will also indicate the blood type of each monster. After completing the Punnett Squares worksheets, students will then complete the "Creating Monster Children" worksheet. They will also "create" profiles for their children. At this time, the teacher needs to go around to make sure that students' Punnett squares are correct. Students will be instructed that their children should be "products" of their punnett squares with the highest probability.
- Day Six
Students will be working on their pedigree charts and will start to draft their family portraits.
- Day Seven-Day Eight
Pedigree charts must be complete at this time. Students will finalize their portraits and write a description of their family and family members. Students will also need to prepare for their presentation where in they need to describe their families, traits and other "creative" information about their "children".
- Day Nine-Day Ten
Students will present their portraits and families to class as part of their assessment.
- Sesame.wav
Assessment
Assessment in on-going. Student presentation of their families will also be evaluated.
SMART Board
This instructional content was intended for use with a SMART Board. To download this free software from the SMART Technologies website, please click here.
