Theme 2: Building our traits

Whilst the 1^st theme focused on social studies, the 2^nd one focused on science. The 2^nd transdisciplinary theme was ‘Who we are’ with the title ‘Building our traits’

This theme ran from September 3^rd – October 5^th, with the central idea ‘Our physical features and characteristics are inherited from our predecessors’. The enduring understanding expected from this theme is that every organism grows and reproduces and their traits are passed along to future generations.

To get the students in tune with the theme, we asked them to bring their family photos and compare physical appearance between their family members (skin color, eye color, etc.). Grade 5 teachers then explained to students that physical appearances are the effects of our genes inside our cells.

To learn about the cell, we discussed each of its parts and functions (mitochondrion, nucleus, chromosome, etc.), and types of cell division. To give students some information about cell division, we watched videos of mitosis and meiosis and asked them to create a model of cell division from any materials they could find.

MITOSIS & MEIOSIS VIDEO

Then, we brainstormed with the students: If a cell were a city, what buildings should each cell part represent? This brainstorm activity led to a student project called THE CITY CELL ANALOGY. They created a city model, where the buildings represent cell parts and their functions. After our students had finished, they held a simple exhibition among our three parallel classes. See how enthusiastic they were!

Then, we got more specific. We discussed about some traits which are directly affected by our genes, for example attached or free earlobes, tongue-rolling ability, straight hairline or widow’s peak.

After that, our students created ‘The Tree Traits Project’ where they projected their traits in the form of leaves and attached them to the ‘branch of traits’. Confused? Have a look-see for yourself! (To learn more about the 'Tree Traits Project', please click here)

Our students were so curious, they asked questions, like Why do one part of our body has different shape than the same body part of other people’s? We then explain to our students that we have dominant genes and recessive genes, and, interestingly, we can predict the traits of our predecessor and offspring, by using a Punnet square. (If you want to try an on-line punnet square, please go here, and if you want to find out more about genetically controlled traits, please go here).

This is an example of how our students predicted the offspring’s traits by using Punnet squares.

After they understand about the use of Punnet square, it was time for the fun part! Our students were asked to create superhero parents, and they had to determine which powers (from the mom or dad) are dominant and recessive. Then, they predicted their offspring’s traits by using the Punnet square. Watch out! Here comes some of our Superhero Families!
(To learn more about the 'Superhero Traits Project, please click here)

And last, we asked parents to help our students for their final project of this theme. The students were asked to make a slide show presentation about their physical features and characteristics that are inherited from their parents. The slide show included the background theory of traits passing, similarities and differences between them and their family, and the dominant and recessive traits of their family with an explanation about the inheritance of traits in the family with a Punnet square. Let’s see our ‘young scientists’ in action!