Back to the Future: Apples Don’t Fall Far from the Tree

7th Grade

Jessie Clark Middle School
Developed by: Cheryl Brown, Deborah Moore, Kelly Shepard, and Stephanie Yates

Organizer

How does my family heritage affect my life today and in the future?

Primary Academic Expectations and Demonstrators (Italicized demonstrators are for gifted and talented population)

1.1 Students use reference tools such as dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias, and computer reference programs and research tools such as interviews and surveys to find the information they need to meet specific demands, explore interests, or solve specific problems.

1.11 Students write using appropriate forms, conventions, and styles to communicate ideas and information to different audiences for different purposes. 

2.2 Students identify, analyze, and use patterns such as cycles and trends to understand past and present events and predict possible future events. 

5.1 Students use critical thinking skills such as analyzing, prioritizing, categorizing, evaluating, and comparing to solve a variety of problems in real-life situations. 

5.3 Students organize information to develop or change their understanding of a concept. 

Secondary Academic Expectations and Demonstrators

1.2 Students make sense of the variety of materials they read.

1.3 Students make sense of the various things they observe. 

1.4 Students make sense of the various messages to which they listen.

1.16 Students use computers and other kinds of technology to collect, organize, and communicate information and ideas. 

2.6 Students understand how living and nonliving things change over time and the factors that influence the changes. 

3.7 Students demonstrate the ability to learn on one’s own.

4.1 Students effectively use interpersonal skills.

4.5 Students demonstrate an understanding of, appreciation for, and sensitivity to a multi-cultural and world view.

5.5 Students use problem-solving processes to develop solutions to relatively complex problems. 

6.3 Students expand their understanding of existing knowledge by making connections with new knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Essential Questions

  1. Including your personal family stories, what are the cultural characteristics of your family’s ancestors?
  2. What are some of your family’s cultural characteristics today?
  3. Research and describe some genetic traits you have inherited.
  4. Which of your genetic traits and cultural characteristics would you want to pass on to your children? Why?

Culminating Performance

Using the guiding question as the prompt, students will write a reflective essay and produce and share their researched information through a PowerPoint presentation.

Scoring Guide/Rubric

The rubric for the portfolio reflective piece is the Holistic Scoring Guide established by the Kentucky Department of Education.

Rubric for PowerPoint Presentation

CRITERIA

 

CONTENT:

Polished

Delicious

Crab

Wormy

Number of Cultural

Characteristics (Past)

More than 3 examples

10

3 examples

9

2 examples

8

1 example

7

Number of Cultural

Characteristics (Present)

More than 3 examples

10

3 examples

9

2 examples

8

1 example

7

Number of Inherited

Genetic Traits

More than 3 examples

10

3 examples

9

2 examples

8

1 example

7

Number of Traits/

Characteristics Passed On

More than 3 examples

10

3 examples

9

2 examples

8

1 example

7

Supporting Details

Extensive

30

Adequate

20

Minimal

10

None

0

 

FORM:

Polished

Delicious

Crab

Wormy

Number of Content Slides

More than 6 slides

10

6 slides

9

5 slides

8

Fewer than 5 slides

7

Design

6 different slide layouts; readable text

10

5 different slide layouts; readable text

9

4 different slide layouts; text difficult to read

8

2 or 3 different slide layouts; text difficult to read

7

Creativity

e.g., scanned or digital photos; inserted clipart; downloaded graphics; appropriate sound and animation

10

e.g., inserted clipart; downloaded graphics; appropriate sound and animation

9

e.g., inserted clipart; appropriate sound and animation

8

e.g., inserted clipart

7

COLUMN TOTAL

               

CUMULATIVE

TOTAL

 

 

Rubric for PowerPoint Presentation Student Name _____________________

CRITERIA

 

CONTENT:

Polished

Delicious

Crab

Wormy

Number of Cultural

Characteristics (Past)

More than 3 examples

 

3 examples

 

2 examples

 

1 example

 

Number of Cultural

Characteristics (Present)

More than 3 examples

 

3 examples

 

2 examples

 

1 example

 

Number of Inherited

Genetic Traits

More than 3 examples

 

3 examples

 

2 examples

 

1 example

 

Number of Traits/

Characteristics Passed On

More than 3 examples

 

3 examples

 

2 examples

 

1 example

 

Supporting Details

Extensive

 

Adequate

 

Minimal

 

None

 
 

FORM:

Polished

Delicious

Crab

Wormy

Number of Content Slides

More than 6 slides

 

6 slides

 

5 slides

 

Fewer than 5 slides

 

Design

6 different slide layouts; readable text

 

5 different slide layouts; readable text

 

4 different slide layouts; text difficult to read

 

2 or 3 different slide layouts; text difficult to read

 

Creativity

e.g., scanned or digital photos; inserted clipart; downloaded graphics; appropriate sound and animation

 

e.g., inserted clipart; downloaded graphics; appropriate sound and animation

 

e.g., inserted clipart; appropriate sound and animation

 

e.g., inserted clipart

 

COLUMN TOTAL

               

CUMULATIVE

TOTAL

 

Evaluation Component:

Students will be pre-tested by writing a personal response to the organizer. At the end of the unit, students will write a second response to the organizer. Comparison will be made for depth of idea development, extension of details, and evidence of critical analysis.

Knowledge (Core Content)

SC-M-3.3.1    Reproduction is a characteristic of all living systems and is essential to the continuation of every species. Some organisms reproduce asexually, others reproduce sexually. In species that reproduce sexually, including humans and plants, male and female sex cells carrying genetic information unite to begin the development of a new individual.  

SC-M-3.3.2     Every organism requires a set of instructions for specifying its traits. This information is contained in genes located in the chromosomes of each cell. Heredity is the passage of these instructions from one generation to another.

SC-M-3.4.1     Biological change over time accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment

WR-M-1.2 Personal writing focuses on the life experiences of the writer. Personal forms in the portfolio may include a personal narrative (focusing on the significance of a single event), memoir (focusing on the significance of the relationship of the writer with a particular person, place, animal, or thing), or personal essay (focusing on a central idea supported by a variety of incidents in the writer’s life).  

Characteristics of personal writing may include:

WR-M-1.4 Transactive writing is informative/persuasive writing that presents ideas and information for authentic audiences to accomplish realistic purposes like those students will encounter in their lives. In transactive writing, students will write in a variety of forms.

Characteristics of transactive writing may include:

Technology Standards

T1.1.2 Determine best resource for gaining information (electronic, print, personal, etc.).

T4.4 Locate information using the Internet.

T6.1 Select appropriate software for a task.

T6.4 Use a Word Processor to present information.

T6.4.5 Write portfolio pieces.

Skills/Abilities

Instructional/Assessment Activities

Timeline for Unit

 

Mon

Tues

Wed

Thurs

Fri

Week 1

December 17

Language Arts

Pre-test

---------------

Introduction with picture books and photo albums

---------------

Letter home explaining unit

Explain unit

---------------

Vocabulary

Interviewing skills and questions set: hereditary traits and cultural characteristics

Group Share: who will interview; what learned so far; what questions

----------------

Friendly letter to relative

----------------

Send home science questionnaire of family traits

No School

 

Week 2

January 7

Language Arts

Review essential questions

---------------

Group Share:

report information gathered during holidays

---------------

Students prepare for research: what don’t I have yet?

Library: research: what don’t I have yet?

 

Computer Lab: internet research; World Book Encyclopedia online

---------------

Student research due

Computer Lab:

scanning, downloading images, saving to a network folder

Transfer notes to paper copies

Science

Introduction science essential questions

--------------

Vocabulary

Library: research: what don’t I have yet?

--------------

LMS: lesson on web search techniques: Boolean, keyword.

Computer Lab: internet research; World Book Encyclopedia online

---------------

Student research due

Textbook reading

---------------

Worksheets

---------------

Review questions

---------------

Discussion

Textbook reading

---------------

Worksheets

---------------

Review questions

---------------

Discussion

Week 3

January 14

Language Arts

Computer Lab:

Create PowerPoint Presentations

Computer Lab:

Create PowerPoint Presentations

Computer Lab:

Create PowerPoint Presentations

Share PowerPoint Presentations

Share PowerPoint Presentations

Science

Science Lab: Punnet Squares

---------------

Review questions

---------------

Discussion

Science Lab: Construct Re-bops to demonstrate inherited genetic traits

Prewriting, webbing, discussing

----------------

First draft:

personal expressive piece

First draft personal expressive piece due

----------------

Peer conference

----------------

Rewrite

Second draft: personal expressive piece due

Lesson Goals

Lesson 1: Language Arts

Objective: AE 1.1, AE 1.11

Description: Interviewing Skills

Assessment: Student-generated Interview Questions and Friendly Letter

Lesson 2: Language Arts

Objective: AE 1.1, AE 5.3, T1.1.2, T4.4

Description: Library/Computer Lab Information Gathering

Assessment: Student-generated Research

Lesson 3: Language Arts

Objective: T6.1

Description: Pre-writing/Organization of Information

Assessment: Paper Copies of PowerPoint Slides

Lesson 4: Science

Objective: AE2.2, AE5.1, SC-M-3.3.1, SC-M-3.3.2, SC-M-3.4.1

Description: Punnet Square Lab

Assessment: Science Lab Procedures/Conclusion: Punnet Squares

Lesson 5: Science

Objective: AE2.2, AE5.1, SC-M-3.3.1, SC-M-3.3.2, SC-M-3.4.1

Description: Re-Bops Lab

Assessment: Science Lab Procedures/Conclusion: Re-Bops

 

Critical Resources

 

Sample worksheets


Name: _____________________________________ Hour: __________

CULTURES PAST AND PRESENT RESEARCH WORKSHEET

What countries?

 

 

OR what region of a country?

 

 

 

Customs from that country/region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customs from that country/region that your family has adopted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List foods, holidays, clothing styles, celebrations, occupations, level of education, living styles that are part of your family’s life today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name: _____________________________________________ Hour: _________

 

HEREDITY RESEARCH WORKSHEET

 

Describe the genetic traits you have inherited. How are they passed on from one generation to another?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be specific if there are physical diseases or conditions that tend to run in families. Don’t forget to include multiple births.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Name: ______________________________________ Date: ______________

 

"PASS IT ON" WORKSHEET

 

 

List the cultural characteristics and customs you will want to pass on to your children. Be sure to tell why you think it would be healthy and beneficial to possess theses qualities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


INTERVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE

 

Name _________________________________Date___________Hour________

Ask the following questions of your family members such as moms, dads, grandmas,

grandpas, aunts, uncles, and great-grandparents (if you have them.)

Relative name________________Relationship____________________Approximate Age______

What are some family traditions that you observed as you grew up?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

What countries did our family come from when we came to America? Name the country and city if possible.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Use three words to describe your personality AND those of your parents such as being patient or hot-tempered, being shy or outgoing, sensitive or hard-hearted.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

What special talents did you have as your grew up? What special talents did your parents have such as being musical, artistic, athletic. Did you like to read? Were you a good student or a so-so student?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

List five physical traits that you have inherited. From whom do you think you got these traits?

Trait___________________________________Name__________________________________

Trait___________________________________Name__________________________________

Trait___________________________________Name__________________________________

Trait___________________________________Name__________________________________

Trait___________________________________Name__________________________________

Are there any physical conditions or diseases that are common to our family? If so, what are they?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


Using PowerPoint to Create Slides

 

Open PowerPoint.

Open existing presentation.

Select "more files" and click OK.

Go to drop down window and select "Network Neighborhood."

Open "Ambrose_nt"

Open "Pet Project."

Open "Jessie Clark."

Open "November 2001."

Open "Student PowerPoint.ppt."

Click on slide #2 on the left side of the screen.

A slide entitled "Title Page" will appear.

Delete text.

Go to FORMAT.

Select "Slide Layout."

Choose whichever layout you want.

Select "apply."

After you have typed your text and selected your graphic, go to INSERT on menu bar.

Select "text box."

Place at bottom right of slide.

Type "apple tree."

Highlight "apple tree."

Select icon with globe and chain link (says "insert hyperlink" when cursor is pointing to it.)

Choose "place in this document."

Choose slide 1.

Click OK.

Repeat for each apple (slide.)


BACK TO THE FUTURE:
 Apples Don't Fall Far from the Tree

 

Research Information Help

SEARCHING SITES

Boolean Searching - KidsClick website - Keyword:  Using 'And', 'Or', 'Not' Phrases

Ask Jeeves for Kids

Yahooligans

 

GENERAL INFORMATION SITES

World Book Online

HEREDITY INFORMATION SITES

Legacy.com

Vital Records.com

US Geneology Site

RootsWeb.com

FamilySearch.org

Genetic Diseases

Twins Information

Disease Research

CULTURAL INFORMATION SITES

Cyndi'sList.com

About.com Culture Listings


Back to Jessie Clark

Back to PET Project