KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

LESSON PLAN FORMAT

Teacher Candidate: Brooke Spence & Cortney Sensenig

Cooperating Teacher:
Group Size: 24
Subject or Topic: Inheritance

Date: 2/25/16

Coop. Initials:
Allotted Time: 45 mins.

Grade Level: 4th

Section:

STANDARD:
3.1.B.B1 Explain that the information passed from parents to offspring is transmitted by
means of genes which are coded in DNA molecules. Explain how mutations can alter
genetic information and the possible consequences on resultant cells.

I.

Performance Objectives (Learning Outcomes):

1. Fourth grade students will be able to explain that they inherit things from their parents by
complete a worksheet
II. Instructional Materials
A. Students
1. A picture of a family member (handed into teacher)
B. Teacher
1. Inherited or Acquired worksheet
2. Pictures of students family set up on the board
III. Subject Matter/Content (prerequisite skills, key vocabulary, big idea, outline of additional
content)
A. Prerequisite skills
1. Students should have an understanding of the function of chromosomes are.
B.

Key Vocabulary
1.
2.
3.
4.

Genomes- a persons completes set of genetic instructions

Inheritance- is the process by which genetic information is passed on from parent to child
X chromosome- Female
Y chromosome- Male

5. Genotype- a description of the unique genetic makeup of an individual

6. Acquired- learn or develop
C.

Big Idea
1. Inheritance make us who we are

D. Content
1. What is inheritance
a. Inheritance is the process by which genetic information is passed on from
parent `to child
b. This is why members of the same family tend to have similar
characteristics
b. Genomes
a. a persons completes set of genetic instructions
b. 3 billion base pairs are packaged into 23 pairs of chromosomes
c. You get one copy from each parent
d. Genotype is a description of the unique genetic makeup of an individual. It
can be used to describe an entire genome or just an individual gene
b. Genetic Materials
a. Most of our cells contain 23 chromosomes
b. the gender of an individual is determined by the X and Y chromosomes
c. Females (XX)
d. Males (XY)
b. Inheritance vs. Acquired
IV.

Implementation

A. Introduction
1. Write the word inheritance on the board and ask the students to list things they might
inherit from their parents.
2. Explain to the students that in this lesson we will be talking about what inheritance is and
that at the end of class we will come back to the list they made to see if what they had an
correct.
B. Development
1. Teacher will explain to the students that inheritance is the process by which genetic
information is passed on from parent to child
2. Teacher will explain to students the way we inherit this information
a. Through genomes which is a persons completes set of genetic
instructions
b. We receive a copy from each parent, giving us 23 pairs made up of
3 billion base pairs.

a.

b.
c.
d.
e.
a.
b.
c.

d.

c. Genotype is a description of the unique genetic makeup of an

individual. It can be used to describe an entire genome or just an
individual gene
Teacher will explain genetic material.
a. Most cells contain 23 chromosomes
b. The gender of an individual is determined by the X and Y
chromosomes
c. Females (XX)
d. Males (XY)
Teacher will explain to the students what acquired is.
Teacher will asks the students to give some examples of things you acquire
Teacher will referee back to the board where the students listed thing they said was
inherited.
Teacher will go through the list and ask the students to use the knowledge they know now
to identify if all the things they listed are things you inherit.
Teacher will show pictures of a female genetic makeup and male makeup (see attached)
Ask students to which one is female and which one in male
Match the Family Member Inquiry
a. Teacher will hand out Match the Family Member Inquiry sheet
(see attached)
b. Show the students the photo of everyone family members that are
hanging on the board.
c. Go through each photo and have the students guess which family
member belongs to which student.
d. Have the students make a list of why they think each picture
belong to a certain student. Ex. facial features
Give students formative assessment

C. Closure
1. Ask the students what inheritance is and what are things we inherit from our parents?
2. Tell the students that those things we inherit from our parents have a name. Ask if
anyone know what the name is?
3. Tell the students that tomorrow we will be talking about traits, and why/how we all have
different traits.
D. Accommodations/Differentiation
1. Johnny has a learning disability that affects his note taking skills; teacher will give him a
fill in the blank note sheet with a word bank to take notes during class.
2. Excelling Students: Will be given a fill in the blank note sheet to take notes.
3. Struggling Students: Will be given a fill in the blank note sheet with a word bank to take
notes. Students will also be given the chance to work with another struggling student on
the formative assessment.

E.

Assessment/Evaluation Plan

1. Formative- Students will complete the Inherited or Acquired? worksheet (see

attached)
3. Summative- end of unit test
V.

1. Reflective Response
2. Remediation Plan

B.

Personal Reflection
1. Did I present the new information in an interesting way? Did it keep students intrigued?
2. Did I present the new information in a way that students understood it?

VI.

Resources (in APA format)

Name _______________________________

Inherited or Acquired?
Directions: Read each trait and decide whether it is
inherited or acquired. Circle the best choice.
1. The color of your eyes
inherited

or
acquired

2. Knowing how to ride a bike

inherited

or
acquired

3. Being able to ice-skate

inherited

or

acquired

4. Your height (how tall or short you are)

inherited

or

acquired

5. The scar on your forehead

inherited

or

acquired

or

acquired

6. The shape of your nose

inherited

7. A zebras stripes
inherited

or

acquired

or

acquired

or

acquired

8. A dogs sense of smell

inherited
9. A birds ability to fly
inherited

10. Your ability to speak English

inherited

or

acquired

11. Your friends ability to speak Spanish

inherited

or

acquired

or

acquired

12. The color of your skin

inherited