TODD WEEKS

LEARNING CYCLE LESSON PLAN

Lesson Title: Plant genetics and Algebra

Standards: Science-product; Genetics and Traits
-Processes; Communicating and Predicting

Math-Product; Algebra
-Processes; Problem Solving

Learning style: Intrapersonal, verbal-linguistics, visual-spatial, and logical-mathematical

Goal: Students will understand and be competent enough to demonstrate how roundup ready soybeans (genetics) are created to the parents on open house.

Grade Level: Middle School

Time: Three 50-minute class Periods

Background Information: A trait is a characteristic of something. Genetics is the study of heredity. To make roundup ready soybeans a trait from a weed that is resistant to roundup is added to soybeans making the new roundup ready soybean that is resistant to roundup. Roundup is a chemical that kills weeds and grasses in the fields.

Prerequisite information: Traits, genetics, and how they apply to plants will be discussed.

Exploration Phase:

Objectives: The students will answer the question why is one rose red while another rose is white. The students will share and explain their answer to the class. Any misconceptions the students have about genetics and traits will be discussed following their explorations.

Materials: Pencil, paper and two different colored flowers

Introduction of the lesson: Show the flowers and talk about my cousin Dr. Troy Weeks.

Procedure:

1. Get out a piece of paper and a pencil
2. Ask students to write why they think that there are two colors within the same flower
3. Give students 10 minutes to complete
4. Ask students to share their answer

Evaluation: The teacher will discuss each student's thoughts about why there are two colors within the same flower. There will be no right or wrong answers only their thoughts will be important, but all work must be shown.

Materials: For each team

1. One worksheet for each group
2. One worksheet for each team
3. Plenty of paper to show their work

Procedure:

1. Do several examples of one and two variable equations on the board
2. Give each student a worksheet to answer
3. Have them hand in their worksheet when they are finished
4. Form teams of two, give each team a worksheet to answer
5. Have one team member solve the problem with one method while another team member uses a different method

Evaluation: The students will be graded on both worksheets. The student's grade on the team worksheet will be worth one extra credit point for each right answer. The individual worksheet will be recorded in the grade book based on the number of right answers. If all students score above the 80% mark, the class will move to more complex equations.