Inheritance of Traits

Grade Level: 3rd

Subject: Science

Time Frame: 3 weeks (October/November)

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Essential Questions

 

- what is the difference between inherited traits and environmental effects?
- why do offspring look similar to their parents?
- why is there variation between offspring?
- how does the environment affect genetic inheritance?

 

 

By the end of the unit, students will know:

 

- offspring inherit traits from their parents
- variation occurs due to different combinations of inherited traits being passed on to offspring
- conditions of the environment can alter inherited traits
- environmental effects are not inherited or passed on to future offspring

 

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By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

 

- determine the difference between inherited traits and environmental effects
- identify variation
- explain why variation occurs
- describe how environmental effects can change inherited traits

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Topics

 

- inherited traits
- inherited variation
- environmental effects

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Standards

3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2