Bring science to life with this Inherited Traits Digital Science Mini Lesson and Activity! Aligned to NGSS 3-LS3-1, this interactive digital resource introduces students to key science vocabulary, builds background knowledge, develops deeper understanding, and assesses learning.

Students begin by reviewing Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary, then watch a short, engaging custom video that clearly explains inherited traits. Next, they apply what they’ve learned by analyzing real-world scenarios by differentiating inherited and acquired traits.

Students also complete a certified Lexile® leveled digital interactive reader about Hemingway’s Polydactyl Cats, helping them connect inherited traits to the real world. Reading comprehension questions help reinforce key reading and science concepts. The activity concludes with a short quiz about inherited traits so students can test what they’ve learned.

⚡What is a Lightning Lesson? – Lightning Lessons are short, engaging, easy to use, fully digital lessons. Each lesson:

• Introduces and Builds Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary
• Explains Key Concepts with Engaging Videos and/or Digital Lessons
• Connects Science to Everyday Life with Practice Activities
• Tests Student Learning with a Short Quiz or Assessment
• Contains Audio Read Aloud Option for Emergent Readers or Students with Special Needs

✨ MagiCore WebLink Digital Resource – This resource uses the power of MagiCore’s WebLink for an interactive browser based experience that is easy to use and keeps students engaged and learning. Once you try a MagiCore WebLink activity, you’ll never look at Google Slides the same way again. CLICK HERE to experience it for yourself!

NOTE: This entire unit is digital. It is NOT printable. The final screen includes an option to view or print a summary of the student’s responses.

*Videos are not hosted on YouTube. This resource does not require YouTube access.

Key Features:

• No Prep: Each lesson is designed to take 30-45 minutes, making them perfect for quick practice sessions. Everything you need from preteaching vocabulary, video lesson, activity, reading, and quiz is included. Just share the link or use the QR code and you’re good to go!
• Audio Support: Every lesson includes audio to aid in pronunciation and understanding. Audio options help support emergent readers or students with special needs.
• Self-Correcting: Immediate feedback helps students learn and correct mistakes on the spot.
• Repeatable Practice: Students can practice lessons multiple times to reinforce and master skills.

⚡ Immediate Student Feedback! Students will see if their answers are correct or incorrect for each question or activity. Teachers can review or print responses at the end of the lesson.

How to Use a Lightning Lesson:

Perfect for whole class lessons projected on a Smartboard or projector OR for independent student practice, centers, or review. There are so many ways to use a Lightning Lesson. All you need is a device and an internet connection!

Aligned to NGSS 3-LS3-1: Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms.

What’s Included?

1. Key Vocabulary
2. Custom Video Introducing Inherited Traits
3. Inherited Traits Sort Activity
4. Hemingway’s Polydactyl Cats Lexile Leveled Interactive Reader & Questions – 810L
5. Inherited Traits Energy Quiz
6. Printable Answer Sheet

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