Make a 12-by-12 grid on a sheet of paper using a pen and ruler. Each grid square should be about a 1/2 inch-by-1/2 inch.
Fill in your hidden gene-related words into the grid. Include words such as dominant, recessive and hereditary. Include about 15 or 16 words to be found.
Fill in the remaining grid spaces with random letters.
Cut out about a dozen 4-by-4-inch squares from card stock.
Draw and color in a different trait on each card. For example, brown hair, green eyes, right handed or allergies. Have your students bring their cards home to complete this activity as homework.
Instruct each student to sit in a circle with their families and show each trait card, one by one.
Have the student discuss which traits they have in common with one or both of their parents. Have them write down their answers and observations to bring into class and share. Do they share certain traits with siblings or other relatives? Perhaps they have a trait that no one else in their family has. Have them take special notice of whether each person in their family had their own set of individual traits.
Write out each letter of your name.
Find the simplified codon for each letter of your name. All DNA information is simplified into three-letter codes called codons. The codon table is a standardized table, widely available in textbooks or online. Print a copy of the codon table to assist you with your bracelet.
Write out your name using your simplified codons instead of letters.
Cut a piece of elastic thread long enough to fit around your wrist, plus a couple of extra inches. Use lettered beads to make a DNA bracelet with your simplified codon name.