Family Traits

Subject: Basic Science

Class: JSS 3

Term: First Term

Week: 3

Age: 12 – 14 years

Topic: Family Traits

Sub-Topic: Meaning, Types, and Importance of Family Traits

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioural Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define family traits and give examples.
2. Differentiate between dominant and recessive traits.
3. Explain the importance of family traits.
4. Recognize how family traits influence physical appearance, health, and personality.

Keywords

• Family Traits: Inherited characteristics passed from parents to offspring.
• Dominant Traits: Traits that are expressed even when only one copy is inherited (e.g., brown eyes).
• Recessive Traits: Traits that are expressed only when two identical copies are inherited (e.g., blue eyes).
• Genealogy: The study of family ancestry.
• Albinism: A genetic condition resulting in little or no pigment in skin, hair, and eyes.

Set Induction

The teacher begins the lesson by asking:

• “Have you ever noticed how some children look like their parents or siblings? Do you know why some people have dimples or curly hair, while others don’t?”
  This will spark students’ curiosity about family traits and heredity.

Entry Behaviour

Students are familiar with physical differences between people, such as skin color, height, and hair type, and have observed similarities among family members.

Learning Resources and Materials

• Picture charts showing examples of family traits (e.g., eye color, dimples, height).
• Flashcards illustrating dominant and recessive traits.
• A short video or animation on basic genetics.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

The teacher reminds students that every individual inherits features from their parents, which explains family resemblances. This will connect to their knowledge of physical appearance and biological inheritance.

Embedded Core Skills

• Observation Skills: Identifying traits within families.
• Critical Thinking: Understanding the significance of genetics and family traits.
• Decision-Making: Awareness of genetic health risks and family planning.

Instructional Materials

• Lagos State Scheme of Work
• Basic Science Textbooks
• Whiteboard and markers

Content

1. Meaning of Family Traits

• Family traits are characteristics or features that are passed from parents to their offspring through genes.
• These traits can include:
  1. Physical Traits: Skin color, height, eye color, hair type.
  2. Health-Related Traits: Inherited diseases such as diabetes or sickle cell anemia.
  3. Behavioral Traits: Intelligence, personality, or talents.

2. Types of Traits: Dominant and Recessive Traits

• Dominant Traits:
  • Traits that are expressed when at least one parent contributes the gene.
  • Example: Brown eyes, dark hair, dimples.
• Recessive Traits:
  • Traits that only appear when both parents pass down the same gene.
  • Example: Blue eyes, straight hair, albinism.

3. Importance of Family Traits

1. Resemblance: Family traits explain similarities in appearance, such as shared facial features or height.
2. Genealogy: Studying family traits helps people trace their family history and understand their ancestry.
3. Health Awareness: Knowing inherited traits helps families manage genetic diseases or risks.
4. Intelligence and Personality: Family traits can influence academic abilities or specific talents (e.g., artistic or musical abilities).

Board Summary

• Family Traits: Characteristics inherited from parents (e.g., skin color, height).
• Dominant Traits: Traits that show up if one parent has the gene (e.g., brown eyes).
• Recessive Traits: Traits that require identical genes from both parents (e.g., blue eyes).
• Importance of Family Traits: Resemblance, genealogy, disease management, intelligence.

Class Activity Discussion (FAQs)

1. What are family traits?
   • Inherited characteristics from parents, such as eye color or height.
2. What is a dominant trait?
   • A trait expressed even when inherited from only one parent (e.g., dark hair).
3. What is a recessive trait?
   • A trait expressed only if inherited from both parents (e.g., blue eyes).
4. Can intelligence be a family trait?
   • Yes, intelligence is often influenced by genetics.
5. How does albinism occur?
   • It occurs when both parents pass down a gene that affects pigmentation.
6. What role does genealogy play?
   • It helps people trace their family ancestry.
7. How can family traits influence health?
   • They help identify inherited diseases like diabetes or sickle cell.
8. Why do siblings look alike?
   • They inherit similar traits from their parents.
9. Can family traits skip generations?
   • Yes, recessive traits can skip generations.
10. What is the importance of knowing family health history?

• It helps in managing potential health risks.

Teacher’s Activities

1. Introduces the lesson topic and explains family traits with examples.
2. Uses picture charts to illustrate dominant and recessive traits.
3. Facilitates class discussions and encourages students to share family traits they have observed.
4. Corrects misconceptions and writes key points on the board.

Learners’ Activities

1. Participate in the discussion by sharing family traits they have observed.
2. Work in pairs to complete worksheets on identifying dominant and recessive traits.
3. Engage in group activities where they analyze similarities in family photos or charts.

Evaluation: 15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions

1. Traits passed from parents to children are called __________.
   a) skills
   b) genes
   c) family traits
   d) habits
2. A trait that is expressed with just one gene is called a __________ trait.
   a) recessive
   b) dominant
   c) hidden
   d) complex
3. The study of family history is known as __________.
   a) genealogy
   b) geography
   c) biology
   d) chemistry
4. __________ is a genetic condition that affects pigmentation.
   a) Albinism
   b) Scurvy
   c) Influenza
   d) Hypertension
5. A person needs two identical genes to express a __________ trait.
   a) dominant
   b) unique
   c) recessive
   d) shared
6. An example of a physical family trait is __________.
   a) eye color
   b) cooking skills
   c) exercise habits
   d) personal goals
7. __________ traits can influence academic abilities.
   a) Recessive
   b) Physical
   c) Behavioral
   d) Dominant
8. The likelihood of inheriting a disease can be traced through __________.
   a) family traits
   b) behavior
   c) geography
   d) diet
9. __________ is an example of a dominant trait.
   a) Blue eyes
   b) Brown eyes
   c) Straight hair
   d) Albinism
10. Family traits can affect __________ relationships.
    a) financial
    b) social
    c) inherited
    d) geographical
11. __________ is an inherited condition that causes red blood cells to be misshapen.
    a) Sickle cell anemia
    b) Diabetes
    c) Asthma
    d) Cancer
12. A child inherits __________ chromosomes from each parent.
    a) 23
    b) 46
    c) 12
    d) 24
13. __________ helps manage genetic health risks.
    a) Genealogy
    b) Education
    c) Exercise
    d) Food
14. Some traits are only expressed when both parents contribute the same gene. These are called __________ traits.
    a) dominant
    b) recessive
    c) special
    d) major
15. Intelligence is an example of a __________ trait.
    a) physical
    b) behavioral
    c) environmental
    d) geographical

Conclusion

The teacher summarizes the lesson, highlighting the meaning, types, and importance of family traits. Feedback is provided, and students’ responses to the fill-in-the-blank questions are reviewed and corrected where necessary.

More Useful Links

• Family Traits, Genes, Soil Erosion, and Drainage Patterns Basic Science JSS 2 (Junior Secondary School 2)