Title: Insights in Biology, "Traits and Fates" module

Description: The Insights in Biology series contains five modules, of which "Traits and Fates" and "The Blueprints of Infection" are most related to genetics.  Each module provides a teacher's guide and student book/lab manual that includes readings and activities that integrate fundamental biological concepts and their relevance to human health and historical and current events.  "Traits and Fates" emphasizes classical and molecular genetics.  The material covered is extremely current (ca. 1998).

Strengths: This resource provides a diverse range of activities and contains multiple types of assessments, including analysis questions, creative writing, problem solving, journal writing, and more.  Teachers will appreciate the excellent teacher's manual, and both teachers and students will find the presentation and content engaging.  Fascinating readings from the scientific literature and popular media are sure to grab students' attention.  Examples include "The Blue People of Troublesome Creek", an account of a bizarre inherited condition and its unlikely cure, and Watson and Crick's classic 1953 Nature paper reporting the discovery of the structure of DNA.

Weaknesses: Because the Insights series is paperbound, durability will be low. Printed in black and white, "Traits and Fates" has no eye-grabbing color photos.

Keywords: Inheritance, DNA structure, genes, chromosomes, variation, proteins, sexual reproduction, meiosis, assortment, probability, biodiversity, mutation, evolution, biotechnology, medical genetics, bioethics, human, plant

Genetics concepts addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
(view genetics concepts)

Other subjects addressed: Reading, Writing, Technology, Social Studies, History

last updated 6/09/00