Miss Frey 10th grade Biology A

Genetics Learning Contract

Name: ____________________________
This learning contract covers Genetics. We will start by learning the principles of genetics
and ending by discussing applications and ethics of genetic engineering. You will
complete a series of lessons in Connexus as well as a few projects. You will begin working
on a research paper that will due by the end of the semester (January 23rd). We will work
on a discussion and a tic-tac-toe board. Check-off each box below once you have
completed the activity.

Required Activities
1. November 21st: Familiarize yourself with new vocabulary in this unit. Look at the
beginning of each lesson in Connexus and write down all new vocabulary terms.
Using the glossary of your textbook, create digital flashcards using
http://quizlet.com/
2. December 3rd:
a. Lesson 1
b. Lesson 2
c. Lesson 3

Complete lessons 1-3 in Connexus.

Mendels Experiments: quick-check
Applying Mendels Principles I: quick-check
Applying Mendels Principles II: quick-check

3. December 6th: Research a genetic disorder. Use one of the following websites to
find a genetic disorder which will be the focus of your research paper. Submit your
selected disorder in webmail.
a. http://www.genome.gov/10001204
b. http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/
c. http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases
4. December 13th: Complete lessons 4, 7, 10, and 11 in Connexus.
a. Lesson 4 Meiosis: quick-check
b. Lesson 7 Replication: quik-check
c. Lesson 10 The Process of Transcription: quick-check
d. Lesson 11 The Process of Translation: quick-check
5. December 16th: Submit 5 sources for your Genetic Disorder Research Paper in MLA
format.
6. December 20th: Completes lessons 12, 16, and 17 in Connexus.
a. Lesson 12 The Effects of Mutations: quick-check
b. Lesson 16 The Human Genome: quick-check
c. Lesson 17 Genetic Engineering: quick-check

7. January 2nd: Discussion Read the article Scientist Line Up to Condemn by Mark
Henderson. On the discussion forum, write your thoughts about the questions
below. Be sure to respond to TWO of your classmates no later than January 3rd.
a. Based on your readings about Bt corn, express your opinion about whether or
not farmers should continue planting Bt corn. Explain why you take this point
of view.
b. Identify the arguments made by Prince Charles and Professor Alison Smith.
Explain why you take this point of view.
c. Express your opinion about the need for more research into the safety of
genetically modified organisms. Is this research necessary or not? Explain
your point of view.
Rubric for Genetic Engineering Discussion
Superior
(4)

Proficient
(3)

Content

Post shows
insight and
understanding
. Student
connects with
topic and
demonstrates
clear
understanding
of key
concepts.

Post is rather
simple but
shows some
insight or
connection to
the topic
demonstrating
some
understanding
of key
concepts.

Online
Etiquett
e

Communicatio
n is effective
and respectful
within
discussion
forum.

Student was
insensitive to
others while
participating in
discussion.

Discussi
on with
Peers

Replies show
insight and
understanding
. Student
connects with
the original
poster.

Replies are
rather simple
but
demonstrate
some insight
or connection
to original
poster.

Needs
Improvem
ent (2)
Post is
simple with
minimal
insight &
demonstrat
es a
superficial
connection
to the
topic;
demonstrat
es little
understand
ing of key
concepts.
Student
came
across as
disrespectf
ul to others
while
participatin
g in
discussion.
Replies are
short,
simple,
lack
insight,
and are
superficial.

Poor
(1)
Post is not
relevant to
prompt.
Student fails
to
demonstrate
any
understanding
of the topic or
key concepts.

Student
language and
word choice
could be
construed as
hostile.

Not
Completed
(0)
Assignment
not
submitted

Assignment
not
submitted

Limited reply
Assignment
with no
not
insight; highly submitted.
superficial.
Replies are
very short and
not relevant
to original
poster.

8. January 13th: Tic-Tac-Toe Board: You must complete THREE activities from the
following tic-tac-toe board. You may go across or diagonal to form your line. If you
have an idea for an activity that isnt listed below, please contact me directly to
discuss it.
Analytic Intelligences

Interactive Intelligences

Logic Smart

Body Smart

Introspective
Intelligences
Wonder Smart

Technology: Internet
and MS Word

Technology: MS
PowerPoint

Product: Students will

design an experiment in
an attempt to find a
solution for antibiotic
resistance, which should
include research from
three peer-reviewed
journal articles.

Product: Students will

design a game for the
whole class which
demonstration replication,
transcription, and
translation. Students will
use MS PowerPoint to teach
students how to play the
game.

Product: Create a
presentation which would
be presented to the CEOs
of Monsanto discussing the
moral aspects and
environmental effects of
branding genetically
modified organisms. This
will be presented to the
class as if they were the
CEOs of Monsanto.

Music Smart

People Smart

Picture Smart

Technology: Music
composing software,
such as Audacity
Product: Students will
write a song/rap about
the factors that
influence genetic
mutations. Save file and
share with class.
Nature Smart

Technology: Google Docs

Product: Students will
collaborate to write a short
play of Watson and Cricks
discovery of the double
helix. Plays should not
exceed 15 minutes in
length.

Word Smart

Technology: Prezi

Technology: Computer
drawing software, such as
InkScape
Product: Student will
create a model of a lac
operon and demonstrate
how gene expression
functions in prokaryotes.
Model should be printed
and mounted.
Self Smart

Technology: Inspiration

Technology: Blogger

Technology: Publisher

Product: Students will

create a mind map of
the environmental
effects of antibiotics and
antibiotic resistance.

Product: Students will

create a journal , using a
blogging application, as if
they were Rosalind
Franklin. The journal should

Product: Student will write

a reflective essay regarding
their personal beliefs or
values centering on the
ethics of genetic

include her time working as

a graduate assistant to the
time that Watson and Crick
published their famous onepage paper. Link will be
shared with the class.

engineering; minimum 3
pages, maximum 5 pages.
Printed and distributed to
class.

Word Smart Rubric for Genetics Activity

Franklins Journal

Superior (4)

Proficient (3)

Needs Improvement
(2)

Number of entries and

organization

Ten or more journal

entries, in chronological
order

Eight to nine journal

entries, in chronological
order

Six to seven journal

entries, in chronological
order

Includes fifteen or more

observations of real
events; 90%-100% of
observations are related
back to the developing
hypothesis

Includes ten to fourteen

observations of real
events; 80%-89% of the
observations are related
back to the developing
hypothesis

Includes six to nine

observations of real
events; 70%-79% of the
observations are related
back to the developing
hypothesis

Provides an opinion for

85% or more of
recorded observations

Provides an opinion for

70%-84% of recorded
observations

Provides an opinion for

55%-69% of recorded
observations

Zero to one spelling,

punctuation, or
grammatical error

Two to three spelling,

punctuation, or
grammatical errors

Four to five spelling,

punctuation, or
grammatical errors

Used Blogger or
comparable blogging
application;
incorporated 5 or more
supporting images
(either original work or
properly cited copyright
free images)

Used Blogger or
comparable blogging
application;
incorporated three to
four supporting images
(either original work or
properly cited copyright
free images)

Used Blogger or
comparable blogging
application; incorporate
one to two supporting
images (either original
work or properly cited
copyright free images)

Observations of real
events

Opinions of
observations

Mechanics

Technology Integration

9. January 20th: Research Paper Rough Draft Due

a. Submit your rough draft in proper MLA format. Your rough draft should be 4-6
pages in length in addition to your works cited page.

b. For help with proper MLA format, please use the following reference:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
c. I will get your graded rough draft back to you with comments and advice
with enough time to make any necessary corrections before your final
submission.
i. ***If you have any questions or concerns about my comments, please
contact me immediately***
10.

January 23rd: Submit Final Draft

Research Paper Rubric

Genetic Disorder

Outstanding
(10 points)

Content (x 2):
The presences
of ideas
developed
through facts,
examples,
details, reasons
and/or
explanations.

Substantial,
specific, and/or
illustrative
content
demonstrating
strong
development
and
sophisticated
ideas.
Sophisticated
arrangement of
content with
evident and/or
subtle
transitions. MLA
style is utilized
with 0 errors.

Sufficiently
developed
content with
adequate
elaboration or
explanation.

Functional
arrangement of
content that
sustains a logical
order with some
evidence of
transitions. MLA
style is utilized
with 1 to 4
errors.

Confused or
inconsistent
arrangement of
content with or
without
attempts at
transition. MLA
is utilized with 5
to 8 errors.

Minimal
control of
content
arrangement.
MLA style is
utilized with
9 or more
errors.

Sharp, distinct
controlling point
made about a
single topic with
evident
awareness of
task.
Precise,
illustrative use
of a variety of
words and
sentence

Apparent point
made about a
single topic with
sufficient
awareness of
task.

No apparent
point but
evidence of a
specific topic.

Minimal
evidence of a
topic.
Incoherent.

Generic use of
variety of words
and sentences
that may or may
not create

Limited word
choice and
control of
sentence
structures that

Minimal
variety in
word choice
and minimal
control of

Organization:
The order
developed and
sustained within
and across
paragraphs
using
transitional
devices,
including
introduction and
conclusion. MLA
is utilized
correctly.
Focus (x 2):
The single
controlling point
made with an
awareness of
task about a
specific topic.
Style:
The choice, use
of arrangement
of words and
sentence

Proficient
(8 points)

Needs
Improvement
(6 points)
Limited content
with inadequate
elaboration or
explanation.

Poor
(4 points)
Superficial
and/or
minimal
content

structures that
create tone and
voice.

Conventions:
The use of
grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage,
and sentence
formation.

structures to
create
consistent
writers voice
and tone
appropriate to
audience.
Evident control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage,
and sentence
formation.

writers voice
and tone
appropriate to
audience.

inhibit voice and

tone.

sentence
structures.

Sufficient control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage,
and sentence
formation.

Limited control
of grammar,
mechanics,
spelling, usage,
and sentence
formation.

Minimal
control of
grammar,
mechanics,
spelling,
usage, and
sentence
formation.

11.
Genetics Post Assessment << Click here to access your Genetics Post
Assessment

Unacceptable Work
If you have a 59% or lower in Biology at any time, you will be required to attend all daily
livelessons, including tutoring sessions. You will be placed on an improvement plan.
Please do not wait to contact me for help if you are struggling and/or falling behind.

Late Work
Assignments must be submitted by the date assigned. You will receive a temporary 0 for
each late assignment. Temporary 0s may still be made up for full credit. However,
temporary 0s will become permanent 0s if the assignments are not submitted with 14
days of the due date. If you start to fall behind, please contact me as soon as possible.

Citizenship and Work Habits

I
I
I
I
I

agree to follow all CCA rules and guidelines

have read the Honor Code and agree to abide by all rules
agree to submit my work on time
agree to seek help from my teacher as soon as I need it
agree to do my personal best

Students Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date:

_____
Teachers Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date:
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