Science lesson plan · 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) · 60 minutes
Inherited and environmental characteristics
Cells, genetics and evolution
CCSS NGSS.3-LS3-1CCSS NGSS.3-LS3-2CCSS NGSS.1-LS3-1England: KS2 Y6 Evolution and inheritance
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Inherited and environmental characteristics.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: no earlier skill in the map; start from what students know.
Leads to: Plant and animal cells; Evolution and fossil evidence; How the environment can change an organism's traits
Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval: three short questions students should already manage. Answers on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Is this characteristic inherited or environmental: a cat's fur pattern? (inherited (from parents) / environmental (from life)) → inherited (from parents)Prompt: Were you born with it, or did it happen during life?
- Identical twins have the same genes. One becomes much stronger. Why? (Strength is never affected by exercise. / Their genes changed into different ones. / The environment, such as exercise, made a difference. / They are not really twins.) → The environment, such as exercise, made a difference.Prompt: What can be different if their genes are the same?
- Inheritance: which statement is true? (If a parent loses a finger, its babies are born without that finger. / The language you speak is inherited. / Some characteristics depend on both genes and environment. / Children are always exact copies of one parent.) → Some characteristics depend on both genes and environment.Prompt: Which things can be passed on in genes?
Hook · 6 min
- Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
- Share the objective: Inherited and environmental characteristics. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Is this characteristic inherited or environmental: flower colour of a plant variety?
- Step 1: Inherited characteristics are passed on from parents in their genes.
- Step 2: So the answer is: inherited (from parents)
- Answer: inherited (from parents)
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Is this characteristic inherited or environmental: the language you speak? (inherited (from parents) / environmental (from life)) → environmental (from life)Prompt: Were you born with it, or did it happen during life?
- Identical twins have the same genes. One becomes much stronger. Why? (They are not really twins. / The environment, such as exercise, made a difference. / Strength is never affected by exercise. / Their genes changed into different ones.) → The environment, such as exercise, made a difference.Prompt: What can be different if their genes are the same?
You do: independent practice · 17 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Inheritance: which statement is true? (The language you speak is inherited. / Characteristics are passed on in genes. / Children are always exact copies of one parent. / If a parent loses a finger, its babies are born without that finger.) → Characteristics are passed on in genes.Prompt: Which things can be passed on in genes?
- Is this characteristic inherited or environmental: a plant growing pale in the shade? (inherited (from parents) / environmental (from life)) → environmental (from life)Prompt: Were you born with it, or did it happen during life?
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Plant and animal cells; Evolution and fossil evidence; How the environment can change an organism's traits.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder