Week+3

Week 3: Who was the founder of the study of genetics? How are characteristics inherited?

//I can describe how the characteristics of living things are passed on through generations.//


 * [[image:http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/gregor_mendel.jpg width="196" height="270" align="right"]] Rundown of the Week **

This week we will be learning who Gregor Mendel is and about the contributions he has made to the field of genetics. Although he sounds like a boring old dead guy, he's actually known as the Founding Father of Genetics (Google even media type="custom" key="10079835" to celebrate his birthday!). We'll start by investigating what traits are and what types of traits can be inherited.


 * **Monday**: Investigating Our Traits
 * In Class Assignment: Create a survey and post it on Investigating Our Traits Survey page.
 * Homework: Take two other surveys and post whose they were one the Investigating Our Traits Survey page Discussion Tab.


 * **Tuesday**: Analyzing Our Traits
 * In Class Assignment: Create a Glog and post it on Analyzing Our Traits Glog page.
 * Homework: Respond to the prompt on the Analyzing Our Traits Glog page in the Discussion Tab.


 * **Wednesday**: DNA From the Beginning
 * In Class Assignment: Take notes from the media type="custom" key="10181639" site with a partner using this media type="custom" key="10181881" . We will have a discussion on this in class.
 * Homework: None! :)


 * **Thursday**: Heredity in Action
 * In Class Assignment: Define genetic vocabulary as a class, then choose an activity (media type="custom" key="10182689" or media type="custom" key="10182687" ) to explore what we have learned about so far.
 * Homework: Complete your chosen activity if not finished in class.

__ **Daily Lessons** __

** Monday **: Investigating Our Traits Activity

// **Objective**: Students will begin to explore the I Can... Statement: "I can describe how the characteristics of living things are passed on through generations," by investigating various different traits to form their own opinions about how characteristics are inherited. //


 * Access the following document and read the directions: media type="custom" key="10109423".


 * Groups have been assigned for this activity. Please see the lists below for each Rotation and find your group.


 * Once you have met with your group and decided the 10 traits you will survey, one of your group members should log on to media type="custom" key="10079845".


 * There is a video tutorial on the main Obsurvey page if you need some help using the site, or you can visit the How-To Video page on our wiki. One of the bars at the top of the screen says "Register." One of your group members will need to enter an email and create a password - we want to access your data tomorrow! Please see Ms. Frazer if none of your group members have access to an email address.


 * To get started, once you have signed in click the "Create New Survey" button in the middle of the screen. Title your survey "Traits_YOURGROUPNAME." You may name your group anything school appropriate. Click "Create Survey" to continue. The next screen is your editing screen. You will need to discuss with your group what you think the appropriate types of question for each trait type will be. I would suggest Multiple Choice or Short Text. You can experiment with these to figure out which will work best.


 * Save lots and save often! On the side of the editing screen, there is a "Save Survey" button. When you have finished, click "Collect Responses" on the left side of your screen. Your group can then embed your survey on the Investigating Our Traits Survey page. (Directions are on that page.) You MUST do this before you leave class today.


 * Finally, each member of your group needs to take at least TWO SURVEYS that are not your own. Please post on the Investigating Our Traits Survey Page Discussion Tab whose surveys you took (group names). If you have time, this can be accomplished during class. Otherwise you must complete this for homework tonight. Your group also needs at least 20 people to take your quiz, so you may encourage friends or family members at home to take your quiz as well.

__** ROTATION 1 **__
 * Group 1 || Group 2 || Group 3 || Group 4 || Group 5 ||

__** ROTATION 2 **__
 * Group 1 || Group 2 || Group 3 || Group 4 || Group 5 ||

**Tuesday:** Analyzing Our Traits

// **Objective**: Students will continue to explore the I Can... Statement: "I can describe how the characteristics of living things are passed on through generations," by analyzing data collected about various different traits to form their own opinions about how characteristics are inherited. //


 * Today we will be compiling, analyzing and presenting our data from the surveys we created yesterday. Log back in to your group's media type="custom" key="10084467" account and click on the red "Report" button for your survey.


 * The Report screen will show you data for each of your questions. You need at least 20 responses for each question.


 * Under each graph there is a small button with an arrow. This will allow you to download the graph to your server space. You need to select four of your graphs to use on a poster that your group will create. You should select graphs that will help you answer the following question: //**Which traits are controlled by a single gene and which are polygenic?**//
 * Single Gene Traits:
 * Polygenic Traits:


 * See Ms. Frazer to receive a nickname and password for a Glogster account for your group. Then login at media type="custom" key="10084681".


 * When you login at Glogster for the first time, a window will pop up asking you to enter your first and last name. You can leave these blank by clicking "Cancel" (that way another group can use this account later).


 * You will see a big pink "Create New Glog" button in the middle of the screen. Click this to begin making your Glog. You can see the How-To Videos page if you would like more help using Glogster, but feel free to experiment with graphics and text. Your group's Glog should contain the following:
 * A title and the names of your group members
 * Several pictures, images or graphics
 * Four labeled, graphical representations of your data from Obsurvey
 * A short description with each graph describing the data
 * One 3-5 sentence conclusion explaining which graphs depict single gene traits and which traits are polygenic, using our class definitions above


 * When your Glog is complete, click the pink "Save or Publish" button at the top of the screen. This will bring you to a new screen where you can name your Glog. Please name it: "YOURGROUPNAME's Glog." Click "Finished" in the lower right corner of the window, and then click "Save and Publish." Your group now needs to embed your Glog on the Analyzing Our Traits page. This MUST be completed before you leave class today.


 * Finally, EACH GROUP MEMBER needs to respond to the prompt on the Analyzing Our Traits Glog page by clicking on the Discussion Tab. If you do not complete this during class, you will need to do it tonight for homework.

** Wednesday **: Gregor Mendel and Genetics WebQuest

// **Objective**: Students will continue to explore the I Can... Statement: "I can describe how the characteristics of living things are passed on through generations," by learning about what DNA actually is, who discovered it, and how it can cause different traits to be inherited between generations. //


 * Find a partner, and on one computer open the media type="custom" key="10181881", and follow the directions on that page (you will have to download it to one of your own server spaces before you make any changes!).


 * Visit the media type="custom" key="10181639" site and click on the "Classical Genetics" button on the bottom of the page, and start with the first page: "Children Resemble Their Parents."


 * Use your downloaded note page to work with your partner and take notes on each of the listed pages.


 * When all groups have completed, you will be assigned one concept to share your thoughts about with the class - so be prepared to discuss any of the concepts!

**Thursday** : Heredity In Action

// **Objective**: Students will continue to explore the I Can... Statement: "I can describe how the characteristics of living things are passed on through generations," by defining genetic vocabulary and investigating different ratios of phenotypes either through an online simulation or from data collected earlier in the week. //


 * We will first spend time today working as a class to define the many vocabulary words you will need to know as we move forward in our discussions of DNA and genetics.


 * For your assignment today, you will choose ONE of the two activities listed below to complete:
 * **Activity 1**: Online Mouse Genetics Simulation
 * Open the media type="custom" key="10182675". Directions for completing the activity are included in the file.


 * **Activity 2**: Our Dominant and Recessive Traits
 * Open the media type="custom" key="10182301" . Directions for completing the activity are included in the file.