UDL Lesson Plans

CAST’s UDL LESSON BUILDER

Lesson 1 Overview

Title:	Genetics and the inheritance of traits
Author:	Brieana Kelly
Subject:	Biology
Grade Level(s):	8-10
Duration:	2 class periods
Subject Area:	Genetics
Unit Description:	Students are going to learn how traits pass from one generation to the next and how that leads to variation. Students will also learn what aspects can lead to genetic disorders.
Lesson Description for Day:	Students are going to learn how traits pass through generations by using a Punnett square.
State Standards:	CCSS. ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; trace the text's explanation or depiction of a complex process, phenomenon, or concept; provide and accurate summary of the text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.3: Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks, attending to special cases or exceptions defined in the text.

Goals

Unit Goals:	The goal of this unit is for students to learn about how genes, which are located on DNA, are passed to offspring and also how this process results in genetic variation. They will also learn what causes disorders and research one of these genetic disorders.
Lesson Goals:	In the first lesson, students will learn the basics of genetics and will visualize how traits are passed by doing crosses with Punnett squares.

Methods

Anticipatory Set:	In order to get students thinking about the passing of traits, ask about some of their own traits that are either dominant or recessive. For example, “hitchhikers thumb,” widows peak, earlobe attachment, ability to roll their tongues. Ask students where they think these traits came from and then transition into a discussion about how they were inherited from their parents.
Introduce and Model New Knowledge:	In a whole-class instruction format, show a Prezi presentation on the basics of genetics and how traits are passed. Show students this CrashCourse video about heredity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezq1fFUEA and this short video about how to draw a Punnett square: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prkHKjfUmMs
Provide Guided Practice:	Draw an example of a Punnett square on a board and have students follow along and write it down as well. Allow time for questions and a class discussion about any confusion.
Provide Independent Practice:	Students will work in small groups to complete a Punnett square worksheet. After, it will be reviewed as a class.

 

Assessment

Formative/Ongoing Assessment:	Observations during the whole-class instruction, question/answering, and group work time will be done to gauge the understanding of students.
Summative/End Of Lesson Assessment:	Exit ticket- Students will explain the role DNA plays in the passing of traits in a few sentences. The will complete a Punnett square individually, as well.

Materials

Punnett square worksheets, YouTube, Prezi.

                                                                                                                                                                   

Lesson Overview 2

Title:	Genetic Disorders
Author:	Brieana Kelly
Subject:	Biology
Grade Level(s):	8-10
Duration:	2 class periods
Subject Area:	Genetics
Unit Description:	Students are going to learn how traits pass from one generation to the next and how that leads to variation. Students will also learn what aspects can lead to genetic disorders.
Lesson Description for Day:	Students will learn about the factors that lead to genetic disorders and then they will complete a short research assignment on one of those disorders.
State Standards:	CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to the precise details of explanations or descriptions. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Goals

Unit Goals:	The goal of this unit is for students to learn about how genes, which are located on DNA, are passed to offspring and also how this process results in genetic variation. They will also learn what causes disorders and research one of these genetic disorders.
Lesson Goals:	Students will be able to explain the different causes of genetic disorders and will conduct research on one particular disorder.

Methods

Anticipatory Set:	Begin a class discussion about what role they think genes/genetics can play in disorders.
Introduce and Model New Knowledge:	Students will be introduced to what genetic disorders are. The teacher will give a short presentation so that the students can take some notes. Show this video about genetic mutations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GieZ3pk9YVo Ask students if they have any questions and answer any they may have.
Provide Guided Practice:	Provide students with more examples of genetic disorders. Have a discussion about the different causes and how one small mutation in the genes can lead to a disorder that can multiple symptoms. Also discuss that there are some disorders that have treatments, and there are some that still have yet to be treated. Try to clear up any misconceptions that students may have during the discussion.
Provide Independent Practice:	Students are going to work in small groups and research a genetic disorder that is assigned to them. Students will use the internet to conduct their research and be required to use credible sources. Students will choose how they want to present their findings the class, whether it is a multimedia presentation, a poster, etc.

 

Assessment

Formative/Ongoing Assessment:	Observations during the whole-class instruction, question/answering, and group work time will be done to gauge the understanding of students.
Summative/End Of Lesson Assessment:	Exit ticket: Students will hand in a paragraph explaining the causes, symptoms, and possible treatments of the genetic disorder that was assigned to them. Students will also be assessed based on their participation in the group presentation.

Materials

YouTube, Prezi, Internet sources, poster boards, additional resources for presentations.