1. DE Science Elementary
“5-Minute Prep” for Living Things Inheritance and Learning Similarities of Parents and Offspring

2. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – The Big Ideas
In plants and animals, offspring show many traits of their parents.
Inherited traits are those passed to offspring. These include features and behavior.
Parents must have a way to transfer inherited traits to their offspring.
Not all traits are inherited.

3. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – Prior Knowledge
Students will have knowledge of living things prior to this study. It will be helpful for students to use the FUN-damental, Being Alive. It will also help if they have:
Seen and can name different types of living things.
Classified living things.
Explained that all living things reproduce.

4. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – Common Misconception
All salamanders have lungs for breathing on land.
Reality: The family of salamanders known as Plethodontidae respire across their skin in moist and humid habitats. They are lungless, a trait passed from parents to offspring.

5. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – Using DE Science Content
When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Similarities of Parents and Offspring.
Reading Passage: Parents and Offspring
eBook: The Color of Apples
Video Segment: Cells & Genes
Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.

6. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – Instructional Ideas
Place students in groups of three.
Assign each student to read one of the reading passages: A Litter of Kittens, Parents and Offspring, and The Color of Apples.
Ask each student to share a summary of their passage with the rest of the group.
Ask each group to complete a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting the three passages.
Share the Venn Diagrams as a class.

7. Similarities of Parents and Offspring – Instructional Ideas
Guide the students through an example of the Exploration, Similarities of Parents and Offspring.
Then ask students to work through the rest of the Exploration as you circulate and offer guidance as needed.
Watch the video segment, Cells and Genes.
Ask students to make a list of ways that they are similar to and different from their parents.
Share the lists as a class and discuss traits that are inherited and traits that are not inherited.

8. Additional Information:
State Standards:
If you wish to review your state standards regarding Similarities of Parents and Offspring, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES.
You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it.
Additional Information:
For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.