The genetics lessons for the 5th grade focus on understanding genes and sickle cell anemia. Students learn about dominant and recessive traits, DNA, Punnett squares, and genetics.
Lesson 1: DNA and Your Cells
Lesson Plan Worksheet
Students explore and describe physical characteristics of people. They differentiate between traits that have been inherited from parents and traits acquired by accident or on purpose. Then they work in pairs to prepare and examine slides of onion skin and animal tissue using handheld microscopes. The students find the nucleus of cells, where DNA is stored.
Lesson 2: See Your DNA
Lesson Plan Worksheet
Students extract and observe DNA from their own cheek cells in a procedure that involves careful measurements. Each student combines a mixture of water and saliva in a test tube with dish detergent, then ethanol. The soap breaks apart the cheek cells in the mixture and the ethanol precipitates strands of DNA to the top of the test tube. The students discuss their results and assemble strings of beads that represent strands of DNA. Then they compare their strands of beads with a molecular model of DNA.
Lesson 3: Plant Parenthood
Lesson Plan Worksheet
Students simulate a plant experiment using cards to represent dominant and recessive traits in flowering plants. They count the number of offspring with given traits and determine the probability of inheritance. Then they create Punnett Squares to help them understand the results.
Lesson 4: Trait Inheritance
Lesson Plan Worksheet
The students use Mr. Potato Head toys to reinforce their understanding of dominant and recessive genes. They observe a Mr. Potato Head and decide if an offspring could inherit the traits. Using a coin toss and pictures of mom and dad potato heads, they create an offspring. Then they discover their own dominant and recessive traits. Finally, the class discusses how genetic problems might affect the health of an organism.
Lesson 5: Sickle Cell Anemia
Lesson Plan Worksheet
The students assemble and reassemble the plastic DNA model from lesson 2 to better understand how genetic inheritance can go wrong. They meet a patient with sickle cell disease who describes his or her symptoms and draws a family tree and Punnett squares showing how the disease is inherited. A researcher or healthcare practitioner talks to the class about current and future treatments for the disease. 
