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Public Education Educator Resources Investigating Coat Color

Learning Objectives

Students will interpret data and utilize probability to make determinations.

 

Grade Levels

Grades 9-12

 

Common Core Standard

Summarize, represent, and interpret data

Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys and observational studies

Calculate expected values and use them to solve problems

Use probability to evaluate outcomes of decisions

 

Materials Needed

“Investigating Coat Color Inheritance and Hairless Breeds” sheet

Calculator (at teacher’s discretion)

Computer with internet access

 

Lesson

Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Review Punnett Squares using a basic trait, such as earlobes (free or attached in humans)

Explicit Instruction/Teacher Modeling (10 minutes)

  • Pass out the “Investigating Coat Color Inheritance and Hairless Breeds” sheet.
  • Work through the first question with the students so that they have a model to use.

Independent Working Time (15 minutes)

  • Instruct students to complete the sheet.

Review and Closing

  • Review the answers with students.

References

Dog Breeds. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/

Moriello, K. A. (n.d.) Hereditary Alopecia and Hypotrichosis. Veterinary Manual. Retrieved from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/integumentary_system/congenital_and_inherited_anomalies_of_the_integumentary_system/hereditary_alopecia_and_hypotrichosis.html

UC Davis Vetrinary Medicine. (n.d.). Hairlessness in Terriers. Retrieved from https://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/HairlessnessinTerriers.php