Trait Tracker Worksheet strip Trait Tracker
Evidence Collection: Observing Inherited Traits
Detective:
Date:
Case File #1: Dog Family
Instructions: Look at Evidence Card A or B
Observe the "Image" Above
My Observation:
The puppy has just like the parent dog.
Ask a Question:
I wonder if the puppy has...
because its parent has...
Case File #2: Cat Family
Instructions: Look at Evidence Card C or D
Observe the "Image" Above
My Observation:
The mother cat has .
The kittens also have .
Ask a Question:
Draw or write a question about how the kitten looks like its mother:
Case File #3: Human Family
Instructions: Look at Trait Guide
Investigate Yourself!
I have like my parent.
My parent has just like me.
Final Inquiry Question
Circle a question and fill in the blank:
Why do I have the same as my parent?
Where did my come from?
Write your own question here:
Trait Detectives Teacher Guide Teacher Facilitation Guide
Lesson: Trait Detectives
MCAS Alt Evidence
Standard Alignment
Topic: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Standard: Use observations and/or data to ask relevant questions about inherited traits of animals (dogs, cats, humans).
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: The Detective Agency
Tell students they are "Trait Detectives." Their job is to find clues that show how babies look like their parents. Explain that these clues are called inherited traits .
2
Direct Instruction: Observation vs. Questioning
Model how to look at a photo of a parent and offspring. Point out a similarity (e.g., "The mother dog has pointy ears"). Then, model asking a question (e.g., "I wonder if the puppy's ears will grow to be pointy too?").
3
Evidence Collection
Use the Trait Tracker Photo Worksheet . Tape actual photos of animal parents and their offspring into the designated frames. This provides the "Primary Evidence" required for MCAS Alt portfolios.
Differentiation & Support
Level 1: Substantial Support
Use the "Worksheet with Pictures" version for pre-set emoji clues.
Scribe student responses for inquiry questions.
Use "eye-gaze" selection for choosing traits from the Human Case File.
Level 2: Moderate Support
Provide a word bank for the blanks (e.g., "fur," "spots," "tail").
Use the "Photo Worksheet" and have student help tape photos.
Allow student to draw their observation/question in the boxes.
Portfolio Evidence Checklist
Attach photos of the student actually observing the animals/photos.
Ensure the date and level of independence are marked on the worksheet.
The **Photo Worksheet** is designed to be the final artifact for the portfolio.
Trait Evidence Slides Trait Detectives
Photo Evidence Case Files
Case File #1: Dog Traits
[ Parent Dog Photo ]
Look at the fur and ears
[ Puppy Photo ]
Does the puppy look like the parent?
Inquiry:
"Why does the puppy have the same traits?"
Case File #2: Cat Traits
[ Mother Cat Photo ]
[ Kitten Photo ]
Observation:
"The kitten has the same as its mother."
Case File #3: Human Traits
Look at photos of your family.
Compare these clues:
[ Family Photo Clue ]
"Where did I get my traits?"
Evidence Collected
"Your observations are the key to the case!"
Portfolio Ready
Trait Image Bank Reference Trait Photo Bank
Evidence Case Files for Observation
Dog Family Evidence
🐕 Parent
🐕 Puppy
Clue: Golden Fur
File #1A: Golden Labradors
🐶 Parent
🐶 Puppy
Clue: Black Spots
File #1B: Dalmatians
Cat Family Evidence
🐈 Mother
🐈 Kitten
Clue: Orange Stripes
File #2A: Orange Tabbies
🐈⬛ Father
🐈⬛ Kitten
Clue: Solid Black Fur
File #2B: Black Cats
Human Trait Evidence
👁️
Eye Color
Inherited from parents
👩🦱
Hair Type
Curly or Straight
😊
Dimples
Passed down to offspring
Detective Challenge
Compare these photos to your own family. What traits do you see in these pictures that you also see in yourself?
Trait Tracker Worksheet strip with Pictures Trait Tracker
Evidence Collection: Observing Inherited Traits
Detective:
Date:
Case File #1: Dog Family
🐕
Parent Dog
🐕
Puppy
Visual Evidence: Golden Fur
My Observation:
The puppy has just like the parent dog.
Ask a Question:
I wonder if the puppy has...
because its parent has...
Case File #2: Cat Family
🐈
Mother Cat
🐈
Kitten
Visual Evidence: Orange Stripes
My Observation:
The mother cat has .
The kittens also have .
Ask a Question:
Draw or write a question about the kitten:
Case File #3: Human Family
👁️
Eyes
👩🦱
Hair
😊
Dimples
I have like my parent.
My parent has just like me.
Final Inquiry Question
Circle a question and fill in the blank:
Why do I have the same as my parent?
Where did my come from?
Write your own question here:
Trait Tracker Photo Worksheet strip Trait Tracker
Evidence Collection: Observing Inherited Traits
Detective:
Date:
Case File #1: Dog Traits
[ Place Photo of
Parent Dog ]
[ Place Photo of
Puppy ]
My Observation:
The puppy has just like the parent dog.
Ask a Question:
I wonder if the puppy has...
because its parent has...
Case File #2: Cat Traits
[ Place Photo of
Mother Cat ]
[ Place Photo of
Kitten ]
My Observation:
The mother cat has .
The kittens also have .
Ask a Question:
Draw or write a question about the photos:
Case File #3: Human Traits
[ Place Photo of
Student & Parent ]
Identify your own traits!
I have like my parent.
My parent has just like me.
Final Inquiry Question
Circle a question and fill in the blank:
Why do I have the same as my parent?
Where did my come from?
Write your own question here: