Crack the Case with Pedigrees!
Bring your genetics unit to life with this engaging, hands-on culminating activity that challenges students to think like real geneticists. Instead of passively filling in a chart, your students will create and label a pedigree from scratch—piecing together family history through “official” documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and medical records.
As they investigate, students will apply and reinforce key skills, including:
Determining and representing family relationships
Identifying inheritance patterns
Inferring genotypes from given information
Making accurate predictions based on genetic evidence
🧬 Built-in Differentiation:
Two levels of scaffolding are included to meet the needs of all learners:
A completely blank pedigree chart for maximum challenge
A version with relationship lines drawn in for students who need a bit more structure
Teachers can mix and match depending on class needs, making this activity flexible and accessible.
⏱️ Quick & Effective:
Perfect for a review day, this activity takes about 20–30 minutes to complete, leaving room for discussion, extension, or additional review. An answer key is included to save you time and make grading a breeze.
💡 Bonus: Students love the “detective” feel of this activity—it’s interactive, meaningful, and the perfect way to end your introduction to genetics unit with a bang!
Crack the Case with Pedigrees!
Bring your genetics unit to life with this engaging, hands-on culminating activity that challenges students to think like real geneticists. Instead of passively filling in a chart, your students will create and label a pedigree from scratch—piecing together family history through “official” documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and medical records.
As they investigate, students will apply and reinforce key skills, including:
Determining and representing family relationships
Identifying inheritance patterns
Inferring genotypes from given information
Making accurate predictions based on genetic evidence
🧬 Built-in Differentiation:
Two levels of scaffolding are included to meet the needs of all learners:
A completely blank pedigree chart for maximum challenge
A version with relationship lines drawn in for students who need a bit more structure
Teachers can mix and match depending on class needs, making this activity flexible and accessible.
⏱️ Quick & Effective:
Perfect for a review day, this activity takes about 20–30 minutes to complete, leaving room for discussion, extension, or additional review. An answer key is included to save you time and make grading a breeze.
💡 Bonus: Students love the “detective” feel of this activity—it’s interactive, meaningful, and the perfect way to end your introduction to genetics unit with a bang!
