Fun Lessons and Activities about Genetics
Science is fun with lessons and games! These genetics activities for elementary and middle school (suitable for high school too), will teach you about Punnet Squares, DNA, RNA, and more. Be sure to click all of the links, and do the activities. In our homeschool class, we start the lesson on Monday and work through the week doing the experiments and lessons. Don't miss the just for fun section at the end. Watch how Game Theory discovers the parents of Princess Peach. Enjoy!
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| Genetics Activities for Elementary: Lessons and Games. |
First, learn about Probability:
Brainpop Subscribers can learn more here: Basic Probabilty for Elementary.
Print (or do the work online) this Probability Worksheet and this Names Probability Chart.
Preview what you know with these questions about genetics. When you get there, hover over each question to reveal the answer.
More about Gregor Mendel. What traits are dominant?
Start with this FREE Movie on Genetics and Heredity from Brainpop. Do the activities here: Traits Graphic Organizer. Be sure to click through the 3 tabs and do all activities. You can fill out the chart and vocabulary on the screen and then save it and send a copy to your teacher or homeschool instructor. (Mom?)
Take this quiz from BrainPop: Online Genetics Quiz.
Watch the video, and learn What is a Punnet Square.
Scholastics Video on Heredity.
Hand Clasping Experiment
Have you ever folded your hands together by interlocking your fingers? Do it now without thinking about it. Which thumb is on top – left or your right? A study found that 55% place their left thumb on top, and 45% place their right thumb on top. The other 1% have no preference!
University of Utah shares this Downloadable PDF about dominant and recessive traits. This information is a solid background for a genetics lesson. You'll also find a fun game to learn about genetics.
Watch this Video, The Story of Fido, about DNA and then do the following lesson.
This is a fun lesson to learn about traits. The printable PDF to Make your own Dog Recipe (with DNA) is also form UU.
Play a Free Online Game about Dog breeding.
Science Lab: Genetics with Pasta (Free Printable PDF from University of Washington)
Tip: We're always looking for uses for our leftover Halloween or Easter Candy, so we used different candies in place of the colored pasta. It saves time, reuses, and you can eat it if you want.
What is DNA? Once on the page, click through at the bottom to learn about genetic engineering and more.
Watch this fun Video about DNA. Then do the FYI segment. At the top of the FYI, you'll see images; click each one to learn more. Now, do all the tabs of the DNA activities.
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| Find out: What is RNA? at Brainpop.com |
Click over to What is RNA? to read about it. If you want to do the activities and watch the video, you'll have to subscribe. If you are a Brainpop subscriber, be sure to watch the video and take a quiz.
Can you answer these questions about RNA?
Review, All About Genetics. When you pop over click the speaker to hear the article.
Just for Fun
Game Theory: Rosalina and Mario Genetics. Peach is her mother, who is her father? Learn about DNA with Super Mario Bros. and Punnet Squares.
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