1. Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors
4.10 Science concepts. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environment. The student is expected to:
(B) demonstrate that some likenesses between parents and offspring are inherited, passed from generation to generation such as eye color in humans or shapes of leaves in plants. Other likenesses are learned such as table manners or reading a book and seals balancing balls on their noses.

2. What do you think inherited traits are?
This family has inherited traits.
What do you think inherited traits are?

3. Inherited Traits You are born with Inherited Traits.
They are passed down from one or both of your biological parents.
Examples: Natural eye color, hair color, height, blood type

4. Which of the following are inherited traits?
Right handedness
Curly hair
Blue eyes
Likes to play baseball
A scar on the knee
Long fingers
Likes the color red
Chews on pencil
Long skinny feet

5. What is the difference between a trait and a behavior?
Trait- A physical characteristic such as eye color or foot size
Behavior- an activity in a human or animal such as dancing or speaking

6. A behavior can be one of two types:
Instinct- These behaviors are automatic. Examples of these are behaviors that you automatically know to do such as movement or eating.
Learned behavior- Behaviors that you learn from either observation or by being taught. Examples of these would be actually walking or the foods that you like to eat.

7. Instinct vs. Learned Behavior
Babies are born knowing movement. No one has to teach them how to move their hands and feet around. As they grow, they start observing people around them, as well as getting some help and learn how to use that movement to walk.

8. Name 3 things that you have as an inherited trait.
Name 3 things that you have as a learned behavior. What is something you just learned in just the last week? Who did you learn these from?

9. Inherited Trait – Who Has It? Activity
If you have the inherited trait shown, then go to the designated area in the room.

10. Read the book Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon (http://www. youtube
Read the book Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon ( to your class. While you are reading, have them listen for Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors of both birds and bats. When they hear one, tell them to raise their hand.
After reading, give each student a copy of the Stellaluna Chart and have them fill in the inherited traits and learned behavior of birds and bats.

11. Bird or Bat: How and Why Bird Traits Bat Traits
After listening to the book Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon, classify as many of the inherited and learned bird and bat traits
as you can remember from the story by writing the traits in the correct columns on the chart below.
Bird or Bat: How and Why
Bird Traits
Bat Traits
Inherited
Learned