ALEX Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (1) 7 :

7 ) Make observations to identify the similarities and differences of offspring to their parents and to other members of the same species (e.g., flowers from the same kind of plant being the same shape, but differing in size; dog being same breed as parent, but differing in fur color or pattern).

Students will begin the lesson by matching pictures of animal parents and offspring, then the teacher will allow students to describe how they were able to create matches. Next, the teacher will create a T-chart and allow students to share how dogs are similar in appearance in some ways but can also have different characteristics. Lastly, the students will create an illustration of a new animal using a "Trait Table" that includes characteristics of both parent animals. At the conclusion of the lesson, the students should be able to identify similarities and differences between offspring and their parents and other members of the same species.

This lesson results from a collaboration between the Alabama State Department of Education and ASTA.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (1) 7 :

7 ) Make observations to identify the similarities and differences of offspring to their parents and to other members of the same species (e.g., flowers from the same kind of plant being the same shape, but differing in size; dog being same breed as parent, but differing in fur color or pattern).

This learning activity is an engage activity that should be used at the beginning of a lesson or unit on heredity. The class will look at a picture of a family (preferably the teacher's family) and compare how some physical characteristics are the same and some are different.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Gap Project.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (1) 7 :

7 ) Make observations to identify the similarities and differences of offspring to their parents and to other members of the same species (e.g., flowers from the same kind of plant being the same shape, but differing in size; dog being same breed as parent, but differing in fur color or pattern).

In these Hero Elementary activities, children learn that animals have offspring that are very much—but not exactly—like their parents. This includes humans too! Children observe and describe how animal parents and babies are alike and not alike, and they look for patterns.

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] (1) 7 :

7 ) Make observations to identify the similarities and differences of offspring to their parents and to other members of the same species (e.g., flowers from the same kind of plant being the same shape, but differing in size; dog being same breed as parent, but differing in fur color or pattern).

[ELA2021] (1) -3 :

R3. Expand background knowledge and build vocabulary through discussion, reading, and writing.

[ELA2021] (1) 21 :

21. Identify the main topic and key details of literary and informational texts.

[ELA2021] (1) 22 :

22. Ask and answer questions about key details in literary and informational texts.

The teacher will present an informational fiction text from the website, ReadWorks. The students and teacher can interact with this non-fiction text by annotating the text digitally. The students will answer the questions associated with the article as an assessment. This learning activity would be useful to introduce students to the concept parents and their offspring have similarities and differences in their appearance.