| Lesson start ideas | Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson |
| Which subject | Biology |
| What age group | Year or Grade 7 |
| What topic | genetics |
| Quantity | 1 |
| Any other preferences |
Have you ever wondered why you have your mother's eyes or your father's hair? Why do some people have allergies while others don't? All of these characteristics can be attributed to our genes, inherited from our parents and passed down through generations.
Today, we will be playing a game to understand how genetics works. Everyone will get a stamp on their hand with either an "A" or a "B". Your task is to find someone with the same stamp as you and pair up. Then, write down any physical traits you both have in common, such as eye color, hair texture, or height.
Next, each pair will join forces with another pair and compare their traits. If any similarities are found again, they can add it to their list. This process continues until the entire class is in one big group, sharing their genetic traits with each other.
After the game, we'll discuss what we noticed about our physical traits. How many of us found similarities in eye color or hair texture? Did we notice any patterns in how traits were passed down from generation to generation?
We'll also discuss dominant and recessive genes and how they influence our physical characteristics. This will lead us into our next lesson on Punnett squares and how they can predict the likelihood of traits being passed down to offspring.
Genetics is fascinating, and we can see tangible evidence of it in our own features. By understanding how genes are passed down, we can also understand how disease can be inherited and potentially prevented. Let's continue to learn and explore the world of genetics together!