Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Week 1 Review of
DNA
Scientific
Discoveries
Function of
DNA/Genes
RNA &
Protein
Mutations
Agenda Diagnostic
assessment
Review of
key terms
Explore
discoveries
that led to
DNA
structure
Determine
how DNA is
translated into
RNA
Discuss
how RNA
codes for
protein
Analyze the
impact of
genetic
mutations
Week 2 Research
Mutations
Work Time Peer Review Presentation
Day
Presentation
Day
Agenda Student
pairs
research
genetic
disorders
Students
will have
time to work
on
presentation
Students will
get feedback
from peers
Pairs
present
online or
interactive
presentation
Pairs present
online or
interactive
presentation
Day 1-Review of DNA
The goal of Day 1 is to determine the students prior knowledge of DNA.
Students will be taking a diagnostic assessment via Google Forms which
will allow the teacher to get an idea of students prior knowledge of the
subject. The teacher will then be able to tailor the discussion of DNA to
cover areas that need to be reviewed/covered. The presentation
(PowerPoint/Prezi/Google slideshow) will be available online for students
to review or printouts will be available for students without internet access
at home.
Day 2-Scientific Discoveries
The goal of Day 2 is to explore how different scientific discoveries
culminated to discover the structure of DNA. Students will work in groups
to discover the major discoveries using The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
website DNA from the Beginning. Each group will research one discovery
by exploring the animations and material and be responsible for reporting
out the important information to the class. The teacher will provide a
handout for students to fill in information about the scientists, their
discovery, and how it was important in discovering the structure and/or
function of DNA.
Day 3-Function of DNA and Genes
The goal of Day 3 is for students to determine how DNA codes for
RNA and define what a gene is. Students will be taking a formative
assessment to track their understanding of the structure of DNA.
Students will also learn the differences in DNA and RNA and learn
about specific strands of DNA known as genes.
Day 4 RNA and Proteins
The goal of Day 4 is to discuss how RNA codes for proteins and
discuss the importance of proteins in our bodies. Students will
work in groups to complete a decoding exercise which will
springboard into a discussion of how RNA codes for proteins.
Students will learn about the amino acids that make proteins and
the function of proteins in the body. A formative assessment will be
given at the end of class to determine student understanding of the
function of DNA.

Day 5-Mutations
The goal of Day 5 is to analyze to effects of mutation on the
production of proteins. Students will learn about the types of
mutations that occur by viewing animations. Students will
then work in groups to decode a mutated RNA strand and
determine the effect of the mutation on the resulting protein.
At the end of the class students will be given an overview of
their project that will be due next week. It will provide list of
ideas of genetic mutations they may want to research further.
Day 6-Research Mutations
The goal of Day 6 is to form groups of 2-3 students that will
research a genetic disorder. Every effort will be made to
assign students to one of their top 3 choices of genetic
disorder. The groups will then research the genetic disorder
and prepare a presentation (PowerPoint, Prezi, etc) and
present to the class at the end of the week.
Day 7-Work Day
The goal of Day 7 is to provide students class time to
research and work on their project
Day 8-Peer Review
The goal of Day 8 is to provide class time for students to
critique fellow presentations and fix issues with their
own.
Days 9 and 10-Presentations
Student groups will present on their genetic disorder
and be graded according to the rubric.