Life Sciences
Genetics
Vertical Alignment
TEKS:
| 4th | 4.13(B) |
| Bio | B.8(B)B.8(A)B.7(A) |
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Structured Conversation Questions
Observational
What is an inherited trait?
An inherited trait is…Relational
How is an inherited trait different from an acquired trait?
An inherited trait is different from an acquired trait because…Inferential
How would you know if a trait is an inherited trait or developed through interactions with the environment?
I would know a trait is inherited if...
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Students might notice in this visual:
- The child has similar features to the parent, like black hair and freckles
- Some traits are labeled as inherited traits
- Some traits are labeled as acquired traits, like scars or short hair
- The word offspring is used to describe the child
- Animals (cheetahs) also pass down traits like spots
EXTENDING THE DISCUSSION
After the observational question, randomly call on one or more students to share what they or their partner answered. Then ask the class, “Did anyone notice…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you’ve noticed.
After the observational question, randomly call on one or more students to share what they or their partner answered. Then ask the class, “Did anyone notice…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you’ve noticed.
Students might wonder:
- How do traits get passed from parent to offspring?
- Why do some traits come from parents while others do not?
- Can an acquired trait ever be passed down?
- Do all offspring look similar to their parents?
- How can you tell if a trait is inherited or acquired?
EXTENDING THE DISCUSSION
After students have shared what they notice, ask the class, “Did anyone wonder…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you might think is interesting or relevant to the lesson.
After students have shared what they notice, ask the class, “Did anyone wonder…?” using the suggestions above or anything else you might think is interesting or relevant to the lesson.
Example student responses
To the observational question, What is an inherited trait?
LOW-LEVEL
An inherited trait is something you get from your parents.
HIGH-LEVEL
An inherited trait is a physical characteristic that is passed from a parent to its offspring, like hair color or freckles.
RESPONDING TO RESPONSES
Emphasize and celebrate each student’s use of the key vocabulary to support a culture of “no wrong answers.”
Emphasize and celebrate each student’s use of the key vocabulary to support a culture of “no wrong answers.”
Jennifer Nguyen
Please remove learned behavior. 4.13B only differentiates between inherited and acquired physical traits of organisms.
08-01-24
Stephen Fleenor
Done, thanks!
10-19-24
Julie Gibson
Could we add acquired trait as a vocabulary question? This inherited trait visual's current relational question has to do with acquired trait for which there is no visual for.
12-05-24
Gunjeet Bhatt
This visual could be improved by... creating a separate card for acquired traits.
03-17-26
Julie Gibson
Thank you for your feedback. We have added a separate visual for acquired trait.
04-02-26