Gene Gallery Anchor Chart Gene Gallery
Your Guide to Traits and Talents
Inherited Traits
The "Inside" Story
These are features you are born with. They are passed down through your genes from your parents and grandparents.
Eye & Skin Color
Hair Color & Texture
Height (Short or Tall)
Dimples
Learned Talents
The "Outside" Story
These are things you are good at doing . While genes can help, you often need to practice to build these skills.
Singing
Playing Sports
Building Things
Playing Music
"Genes make you special. They make you different from everyone else!"
Trait vs Talent Chart Trait vs Talent Chart
Categorize features from Kamal's story and your own life.
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Sort the words below into the correct category in the table. Then, add one example of your own to each side!
Eye Color Singing Skin Color Playing Sports Hair Color Building Things Tall or Short Running Fast
Inherited Traits
Features from your genes
Learned Talents
Skills you practice
My Own Example
My Own Example
Thinking Deeply
In Kamal's story, he inherited "building things" from his grandfather and "running fast" from his mother. Do you think having these talents is exactly the same as having brown hair or blue eyes? Why or why not?
Trait Detective Worksheet Trait Detective
Investigate the science of genes and skills!
Name:
Date:
1 Choose the Best Answer
1. Where do inherited traits come from?
a. Practicing every day
b. Watching TV
c. Genes from your parents
d. Buying them at a store
2. Which of these is a TALENT that you learned or practiced?
a. Having brown eyes
b. Singing a song
c. Being very tall
d. Growing curly hair
2 True or False?
Genes tell your body what color hair and eyes to have.
TRUE FALSE
You can choose your genes when you are born.
TRUE FALSE
A talent is something you are good at doing.
TRUE FALSE
3 Detective Notes
Kamal inherited some genes for building from his grandfather. What is one thing you are good at doing? Who might you have learned it from?
Reem says that genes "make her special." Why do you think being different from everyone else is important?
Code Breaker Slides Trait Trackers
Code Breakers
Defining Traits and Talents
Lesson 1
Think About It
Have you ever wondered why some people have curly hair while others have straight hair?
Or why some people are amazing at soccer while others are great at singing?
Today's Goal
Discover the difference between Traits and Talents!
What is a Trait?
Something you are born with .
Passed from parents to children.
It's in your GENES!
DNA
The Instruction Manual
Eye Color
Height
Hair Color
Dimples
What is a Talent?
Something you learn or practice .
Takes time and hard work to build.
It's a SKILL!
PRACTICE
Makes Progress
Singing
Soccer
Painting
Cooking
Can a trait help with a talent?
Example: Does being tall (a trait) help someone be a better basketball player (a talent)?
Story Map Organizer Story Map
Summarizing Chapter 3: Your Traits
Name:
Date:
Main Idea
What is this chapter mostly about?
Beginning
Where is Kamal and what is he doing?
Middle
What do Kamal and Reem learn?
End
How does Kamal feel at the end?
🧬
The Big "Why"
Why is it important to know the difference between traits you are born with and talents you practice?
Between the Lines Worksheet Between the Lines
Analyzing Feelings and Hidden Meanings
Name:
Date:
How Are They Feeling?
The Text Says:
"Kamal asks, 'Can we take a break from math work?'"
How is Kamal likely feeling here? What in the text tells you that?
The Text Says:
"Reem wonders who she got her different traits and talents from."
Why is Reem thinking about this? What does this show about her personality?
Literal vs. Implied Meaning
Sometimes, what an author says directly is different from what they want you to understand. Complete the table below.
Literal (What it says)
Implied (What it means)
Kamal doesn't have much energy.
He is tired because he is sick in the hospital.
Reem turns off the video to let Kamal rest.
"Your genes make you special."
My Unique Code Project Guide Final Project
My Unique Code
Exploring Your Inherited Traits and Learned Talents
Your Mission
In this project, you will become a scientist investigating your own biological and personal code! You will identify the traits you inherited from your family and the talents you have worked hard to build.
Project Requirements
Identify 3 inherited traits (from genes).
Identify 3 learned talents (from practice).
Explain who you might have inherited them from or how you learned them.
Student Info
Researcher Name
Investigation Date
Investigation Report
My Inherited Traits
Trait #1
Who did I get this from?
Trait #2
Who did I get this from?
Trait #3
Who did I get this from?
My Learned Talents
Talent #1
How did I learn this?
Talent #2
How did I learn this?
Talent #3
How did I learn this?
