10th Grade Genetic Change Lesson Plan Example (Science)

Topic: Genetic change and its impact on an animal’s success in its environments

Objectives & Outcomes

• Understand what a gene is and how it contributes to the development and function of an animal’s body.
• Identify different types of genetic change, including insertion, deletion, and substitution of DNA segments.
• Analyze how genetic changes can impact the success of an animal in its environment.

Materials

• Genetic change worksheet
• Pen or pencil
• Eraser
• Copies of PowerPoint or other presentation-sharing software
• Computer or device with Internet access

Warm-up

• Begin the lesson by showing a video or slideshow of different animals in their natural environments.
• Ask students to observe the animals and note any adaptations or traits they see that might help the animal survive in its habitat.
• After the video, ask students to share their observations and ideas with the class.
• Explore the idea of genetic change and how it might affect the animals’ adaptations.

Direct Instruction

• Introduce the concept of genetic change and how it can occur through mutation.
• Discuss insertion, deletion, and substitution mutations and how they can alter a gene.
• Explain how a mutated gene can be passed on to future generations and how it can have impacts on the resulting offspring.
• Discuss how the resulting features of a mutated gene can impact the success of the offspring in its environments.

Guided Practice

• Divide the class into small groups and give each group a set of DNA molecules to manipulate.
• Have the students work together to identify and label the genes in the DNA molecules.
• Have the students experiment with different types of mutations (insertion, deletion, or substitution) and see how the resulting gene affects the function and/or appearance of the organism.
• Have students present their findings to the class and discuss the impacts of the mutations on the organism.
• For more advanced classes, have students conduct additional research on a specific mutation in a specific organism and discuss how it impacts the organism's survival.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose a species of their choice and conduct a research on its genetic mutations.
• Have students create a poster or presentation that summarizes the species' genetic mutations and the impacts it has on the species' survival.

Closure

• Have students share their posters or presentations with the class.
• Review the main points of the lesson as a class.

Assessment

• Observe students during the independent practice activity and provide feedback on their understanding of genetic change and its impact on an organism.
• Collect and review the posters or presentations as a formative assessment of students’ understanding of the topic.
• Administer a quiz or written assessment to evaluate students’ knowledge of the concepts covered in the lesson.