1st Grade Science: Heredity Unit

For science this year we are doing units based on the Next Generation Science Standards for 1st grade. We usually do more than just what the standard says, but try to hit it at minimum. Here is the second part of life science. Unfortunately, this unit was short and I don't have a lot of pictures for it.

Standard:

1-LS3-1.

Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.  [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include features plants or animals share. Examples of observations could include leaves from the same kind of plant are the same shape but can differ in size; and, a particular breed of dog looks like its parents but is not exactly the same.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include inheritance or animals that undergo metamorphosis or hybrids.]

• We began with an animal sorting activity from Generation Genius. It was incredibly easy for a 6 year old, but let us start the discussion.
• Then we read some books. We probably could have skipped the two focusing on genes, but I thought he would find them interesting, and he did.

See Inside Genes and DNA

How Do You Look Like You?

Max Axiom Decoding Genes

All in the Family (probably the most grade appropriate)

• Videos

• Inheritance of Traits matching page from Exploring Nature