A DNA unit for homeschool, worldschool or just for fun.
This week's topic was enthusiastically requested by one of my daughters. This is totally out of my wheelhouse but I'm so happy we branched out! We learned the nitty-gritty (and a little over our heads) science of DNA but also got into more approachable topics like genetics, genetic engineering and heredity. And, since it's never the wrong time to reinforce ideas of inclusion and we read a few picture books about Down syndrome, albinism and more.
Printables
Here's this week's info, all wrapped up into an easy-to-read printable. Click here for the full color copy and click here for a low-ink black and white version.
Also, here is a printable of a heredity activity I created for Monster family traits. I feel like the instructions make it seem complicated, but I promise, it's not.
Books
One from each category plus an assortment of picture books is usually just perfect.
Not all book series are as good as the next. Get the scoop on some of our favorites here.
Library Haul
Not all of these books will get read. Most library systems allow you to browse online and put books on hold. They'll round them up for you and deliver them to your local branch. It's a big time saver!
Base Non-Fiction Books:
Read every word or simply flip through and reach what catches your eye.
Top Pick:
Glowing Bunnies!? (By Jeff Campbell) - TOP PICK OF THE WEEK! This book was so interesting and we all loved it! It's focus is less on the science of DNA but the application of genetic engineering, both in the wild and in the lab. It's content is extremely approachable and easy to understand.
What Makes You, You? (By Gill Arbuthnott) I wish we would have spent more time on this one instead of the DK book. It was a bit more engaging and much easier to read.
Other Ideas:
DNA: Baby Biochemist (By Cara Florence) Yep, I read a board book to my almost-nine-year-olds. This is how little we knew about DNA going into this week.
Base Fiction Chapter Book:
Some of these books are part of a series but all of them work as standalone books.
Younger Learners:
I tried so hard to find a suitable fiction chapter book to list here and came up empty handed. Please let me know if you find one and I'll include it here!
Older Learners:
Unnaturals: The Battle Begins (By Devon Hughes) Our books usually skew a bit more educational than this one but this book about animals being injected with DNA altering serum to become fighting mutants was an exciting pick for this week. My girls loved it but it does contain a fair amount of violence so sensitive learners might want to skip it.
Other Notable Books
Have more time? Try these too.
Rosalind Franklin (Little People, Big Dreams) It's always good to feature women in science and this quick read introduces readers to one of the pioneering minds behind DNA.
The DNA Book (DK books) This is a science-heavy book that we read first to familiarize ourselves with the topic of DNA. My daughter who choose this topic liked it; my other daughter was bored out of her mind.
What Are Traits? (By Emily Sohn) A simple book that talks about heredity in plants and animals.
Picture Books
Library inventories vary so much with picture books. Rather than wasting time tracking down specific ones, I like to do keyword searches and just grab what's available.
Search these keywords: DNA, Cloning, Genetics, Genetic Engineering
We liked these books:
The Snail with the Right Heart (By Maria Popova) This is the true story of the search for a mate for Jeremy, a snail whose organs are on the reverse side.
Grow: Secrets of Our DNA (By Nicola Davies) A beautifully illustrated book with simple descriptions of DNA and it's role in plants and animals.
You Are Enough (By Sofia Sanchez) A great book about inclusion and why everyone is wonderful just the way they are. Written in part by a young girl with Down syndrome who had a video of herself talking about her life go viral.
Claude (The True Story of a White Alligator) (By Emma Bland Smith)* The true story of an alligator with albinism and the efforts to give him a better life. *I do think it was important to discuss that while an alligator does not mind being put on display because of his uniqueness, there is a long history of people with albinism being discriminated against and othered. Which is obviously problematic.
Things to Listen to/Watch*
*Always vet material before watching it with your kids, especially if they are sensitive viewers. I try to note any potential issues but everyone has different parenting thresholds of what they consider appropriate.
Interactive Learning: Crafts, Food, Activities
Do this Monster Heredity activity that I created!
Have your kids color this free DNA coloring sheet.
End of Week Movie Night Ideas
The Incredibles (2004, PG) This isn't the most on-theme movie of all time but I struggled to find any DNA or cloning movies and instead went the direction of super powers. In our reading, the question about the implications of developing humans with special traits came up and this movie fits that bill. It's a great Pixar film with a lot of action and a lot of heart.
Segue Ideas... Robot Week, Galapagos Week
Wrap Up
The success of DNA week has inspired me to challenge myself with more topics that aren't in my comfort zone. We learned so much! Even my daughter who wasn't all that thrilled with this choice of theme ended up loving it! This would make a fantastic DNA homeschool unit. Here are some pictures of us extracting the DNA from a strawberry.
Final Moment
Here are our Lego versions of the main characters in our Unnaturals book.
Comentarios