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Middle School

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Performance Expectations

Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the structure and function of the organism. MS-LS3-1
Clarification Statement and Assessment Boundary

Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on conceptual understanding that changes in genetic material may result in making different proteins.

Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific changes at the molecular level, mechanisms for protein synthesis, or specific types of mutations.

A Peformance Expectation (PE) is what a student should be able to do to show mastery of a concept. Some PEs include a Clarification Statement and/or an Assessment Boundary. These can be found by clicking the PE for "More Info." By hovering over a PE, its corresponding pieces from the Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts will be highlighted.

Science and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models

Modeling in 6–8 builds on K–5 experiences and progresses to developing, using, and revising models to describe, test, and predict more abstract phenomena and design systems.

Develop and use a model to describe phenomena. (MS-LS3-1)

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

Genes are located in the chromosomes of cells, with each chromosome pair containing two variants of each of many distinct genes. Each distinct gene chiefly controls the production of specific proteins, which in turn affects the traits of the individual. Changes (mutations) to genes can result in changes to proteins, which can affect the structures and functions of the organism and thereby change traits. (MS-LS3-1)

LS3.B: Variation of Traits

In addition to variations that arise from sexual reproduction, genetic information can be altered because of mutations. Though rare, mutations may result in changes to the structure and function of proteins. Some changes are beneficial, others harmful, and some neutral to the organism. (MS-LS3-1)

Crosscutting Concepts

Structure and Function

Complex and microscopic structures and systems can be visualized, modeled, and used to describe how their function depends on the shapes, composition, and relationships among its parts, therefore complex natural structures/systems can be analyzed to determine how they function. (MS-LS3-1)

By clicking on a specific Science and Engineering Practice, Disciplinary Core Idea, or Crosscutting Concept, you can find out more information on it. By hovering over one you can find its corresponding elements in the PEs.

Planning Curriculum

Common Core State Standards Connections

ELA/Literacy

RST.6-8.1 - Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts. (MS-LS3-1)
RST.6-8.4 - Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics. (MS-LS3-1)
RST.6-8.7 - Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table). (MS-LS3-1)
SL.8.5 - Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. (MS-LS3-1)

Model Course Mapping

First Time Visitors

More resources added each week!
A team of teacher curators is working to find, review, and vet online resources that support the standards. Check back often, as NSTA continues to add more targeted resources.

Lab 15. Mutations in Genes: How Do Different Types of Mutations in Genes Affect the function of an Organism?

Lab 15. Mutations in Genes: How Do Different Types of Mutations in Genes Affect the Function of an Organism? is one lab from the NSTA Press book entitled Argument-Driven Inquiry in Life Science. This lab introduces students to the transfer of genetic ...
A Recipe for Traits

Students create and decode DNA for man’s best friend to observe how variations in DNA lead to the inheritance of different traits. Strips of paper that represent DNA are randomly selected and used to assemble the dog's DNA. Students read the DNA and ...

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A Window into Student Sense-Making Presentation and Mat ...
Legends of Learning - Genes and Traits

In this series of games, your students will learn about DNA, mutations, and heredity. The Genes and Traits learning objective— based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as dem...
Legends of Learning - Gene Mutations

In this series of games, your students will learn about the DNA protein coding process and the irregularities it can produce. The Gene Mutations learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academi...
Resources

Handouts and teacher notes for Rock Pocket and Mendel's Peas Storyline

Planning Curriculum gives connections to other areas of study for easier curriculum creation.

Middle School

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

Performance Expectations

Developing and Using Models

LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

LS3.B: Variation of Traits

Structure and Function

Planning Curriculum

Common Core State Standards Connections

ELA/Literacy

Model Course Mapping

First Time Visitors

Resources & Lesson Plans