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Genetic Traits in Harry Potter

Genetics is typically a favorite unit for most middle schoolers because they love to learn about themselves. Tie that inherent desire to learn with a conceptual vehicle like Harry Potter and you have a winning website that teachers and students will love! This site was developed in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a trusted name in science education. The site is filled with links to online resources, PowerPoint lectures, and student activities that take the learner through the world of Harry Potter through the eyes of a budding geneticist. This site provides instructional PowerPoints that allow the teacher to lead students through basic concepts in Mendelian genetics. The students then follow up this instruction with an activity to enhance the learning. These activities are all based on the magical world of Harry Potter. This could be used as a whole unit or as a summative assessment after completing a unit on genetics.

Weblink address (URL): 
Genetic Traits in Harry Potter

Standards & Objectives

Learning objectives: 

students will be able to:

  • Define the basic genetic terms and concepts—DNA, chromosome, gene, allele, homozygous, heterozygous, recessive and dominant genes, genotype, phenotype, and Mendelian inheritance.
  • Describe Mendelian inheritance as a simple, single-gene trait, and understand that many genetic traits in people involve multiple genes.
  • Use the Punnett square to predict possible genotypes of children, given the genotypes of their parents, and vice versa.
  • Apply genetic terms and concepts in identifying and predicting possible inheritance patterns.
  • (Optional) If using the Internet for the Basic Genetic Terms handout in the Pre-lesson Activity, use technology and different types of references to gather and verify information.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying
Extension suggestions: 

There are two extension activities provided with the lesson.

Helpful Hints

other materials and set-ups:

  • A display set-up for class—e.g. interactive whiteboard, computer connected projector, blackboard, or whiteboard
  • (Optional) Pre-lesson Activity, step 4: Computers with an internet connection

Everything else is provided on the site.

References

Contributors: 
Jenise Gordon
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation