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How to use this guide

  A. Organization
Four of the sections contained in the Genetics Education Guide are designed for use together to assist teachers in identifying appropriate resources for teaching genetics. Teachers from Washington State will find the second of these sections particularly useful, because it provides information on how the teaching of genetics fulfills the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs). The four sections are:
  1. The Genetics Concepts
The essential content of genetics has been distilled into nine basic concepts, which are described in this section. Each concept is also cross-referenced to keywords that it encompasses.
  2. Mapping of Genetics Concepts to State and National Science Education Standards
This section includes a narrative account of how genetics relates to the three science EALRs and a chart, which is similar to that found in the Science Essential Learnings document except that only benchmarks in science EALR 1 relevant to genetics have been included. At the bottom of the box for each benchmark, the numbers of the relevant genetics concepts are indicated.
  3. The Genetics Resource/Concept Maps.
Each instructional resource is listed on a chart that depicts which of the genetics concepts are covered by that resource. Information on the type of resource-textbook, video, kit, etc.-also can be obtained from the chart. A summary of the genetics concepts is included on a convenient pop-up window that can be accessed by clicking on the "concepts" button in the left margin. There are separate charts available for these grade levels: elementary school, middle school, high school.
  4. Guide to Instructional Resources.
Resources are listed in alphabetical order by title, one resource per page. Listings include information on each resource's strengths, weaknesses, ordering/subscribing, relevant genetics concepts and topics, and interdisciplinary tie-ins.
  B. Using the Guide
The Genetics Education Guide can be used to answer a number of questions about teaching genetics. Below are a few examples. Can you think of other questions to answer using the guide?
Question Finding the Answer
A colleague recommended that I use resource X to teach genetics, and I'd like to find out more about it. What topics and genetics concepts does it cover? What EALRs does it fulfill? What grades should it be used in? Look up resource X by title in the Guide to Instructional Resources. Read review of resource, find out what genetics concepts and topics are covered, and what grades can use it. On Concepts/EALRs Map, look up the relevant genetics concepts and find out which EALRs they match to.
What resources can I use to my class about DNA structure and replication? First determine which genetics concepts deal with DNA structure and replication by consulting the Genetics Concepts window. Determine grade level and choose appropriate Resource/Concept Map. Look in column under concepts 2 and 6 and get a list of resources that match. If you know which type of resource you are looking for (e.g. textbook, video, hands-on materials), look first in the Resource Type window to narrow your list. Now look up each resource in the Guide to Instructional Resources.
What genetics concepts are covered by EALR 1.3?

What resources can I use to teach this EALR?

Look up EALR 1.3 on the Concepts/EALRs Map. Choose appropriate benchmark based on grade level and find concepts listed immediately below. Look up those concepts on the Genetics Resource/Concept Map for the relevant grade level and get a listing of resources for those concepts. Look up resources in the Guide to Instructional Resources.