Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors Activities for 5th Grade Science

The Kesler Science Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors 5th Grade Complete 5E Lesson provides everything you need to teach a multi-day, student-centered lesson with minimal prep. This lesson helps 5th grade students explore essential questions such as: "What is the difference between an inherited trait and a learned behavior?" and "How does the environment impact inherited traits and learned behaviors?"

Differentiated materials are available to support a variety of learning styles, with multimodal activities designed to keep students engaged. The resources offer maximum flexibility, available in both printable and digital formats. Editable PowerPoints allow you to tailor the lesson to fit your classroom's needs, and Spanish translations are provided for vocabulary, station lab readings, and interactive notebooks.

The lesson follows the well-researched 5E Model, covering all stages of learning. It begins with engagement through objectives and vocabulary cards in English and Spanish, followed by exploration through nine differentiated station labs. Students dive into the concepts of inherited traits, learned behaviors, and their relationship with the environment through hands-on and interactive activities. The explanation phase features editable PowerPoints and interactive notebooks to support deeper understanding, while elaboration extends learning through student-choice projects. Finally, evaluation is built into the lesson with formative assessments and review questions, making it adaptable for both in-person and virtual environments.

The Kesler Science Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors Station Lab is a modular, student-led activity designed to engage 5th grade students in learning about genetics. These comprehensive materials save prep time while allowing students to guide their own learning, as they explore the difference between inherited traits and learned behaviors and identify characteristics passed down to future generations.

This station lab offers eight differentiated activities and a ninth challenge station for early finishers. Students work independently or in small groups, with the teacher facilitating rather than directing the learning process. Each station includes signage, resources, and task cards, with some requiring materials commonly found in labs.

The stations incorporate multimodal learning, including hands-on activities (Explore It!), reading and research (Read It! and Research It!), videos (Watch It!), and various output tasks like organizing, illustrating, writing, and assessing (Organize It!, Illustrate It!, Write It!, and Assess It!). The Challenge It! station provides extension activities for advanced learners, ensuring the lesson is engaging for all students, whether in-person or virtual.

The Kesler Science Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors Student Choice Projects allow 5th grade students to select a project that aligns with their preferred learning style. The resource offers six different project options plus a "design your own" project, allowing for creativity and personalization. Teachers can assess projects using a flexible grading rubric that is editable to meet their needs and can be modified for peer or self-assessment.

These dynamic projects include nine options and a teacher directions page with support and suggestions. The activities cater to different learning needs, with modified versions available for students requiring additional support, while more advanced learners can choose multiple projects to deepen their understanding.

The Student Choice Projects are designed to be flexible and require basic classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors. Many projects are suitable for digital completion, while some may benefit from crafting materials for building models. This variety ensures students can work in ways that best suit their learning and creative preferences.

The Kesler Science 5th Grade Life Science Interactive Notebook Bundle provides engaging, hands-on learning for key life science topics. This comprehensive resource includes both print and digital versions, making it perfect for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, and distance learning.  

The digital interactive notebook features a unique PowerPoint format, Google Slides compatibility, reflection pages, space for notes, and a modified version for students with accommodations. The paper version includes blank and pre-filled templates, plus color photo examples for easy implementation.  

Covering topics like plant growth, ecosystems, fossil evidence, and inherited traits, this bundle helps students organize their learning while giving teachers flexible, high-quality materials to enhance instruction.