I created two similar genetics projects, one featuring fairies and the other goblins. Both projects have the same instructions and rubric and expectations. My Make a Fairy and Make a Goblin genetics activities are sure to be a hit in your science classroom or with your homeschooling students. Personally, I know my middle school self would have been ALL over the goblin project.
Overview of the Projects:
- Students flip coins to determine fairy/goblin parents' genotypes and phenotypes.
- Students solve Punnett squares and roll four-sided die to determine their fairy’s/goblin's genotypes and phenotypes.
- Students color, cut, and glue their fairies/goblins onto a woodland scene or a cave scene.
- Students answer genetics questions about their fairies/goblins.
- Students submit their project and are graded with the included rubric.
Necessary Supplies:
- Scissors
- Glue sticks
- Colored pencils (these are my favorite) or crayons
- Coins or a digital coin flip
- Four-sided dice or other method of randomly generating a number between one and four
Why You’ll Love the Projects:
- An example is included, so you can show your students a completed project without having to make your own. (Although you certainly can create your own—I did. They're a lot of fun.)
- Rubrics clearly explain expectations to students and make grading straightforward and fair.
- These are high-interest projects, so students will be motivated to do a good job.
- Supplies are easy to find and minimal.
- The projects go over multiple genetics concepts at the same time—dominant, recessive, genotype, phenotype, homozygous, heterozygous, purebred, and Punnett squares.
Why Your Students Will Love the Projects:
- They get to express their creativity.
- They'll be super excited to see the traits of their fairies and goblins. How can a 7th grader not be thrilled to find the answer to the question, “Will my goblin be extra stinky and foul or smell like flowers?”
- The directions are easy-to-follow and the expectations are clearly communicated in the rubric.
- Interest will be even higher if they get to choose whether to create a fairy or a goblin.
Tips for Success:
- Allow more time than you think you’ll need for this project. You’ll always have the early finishers, but you’ll need at least a full hour to work on this project.
- Print extra color and cut pages for accidental fairy and goblin amputations.
- Show a completed project to generate interest and help establish expectations.
- Go over each page with your students before beginning, so you can highlight directions and set students up for success.
- Read the rubric together so there are no surprises when it comes to grading.
- Provide students with the option to complete a fairy or a goblin. You can save money and get both projects in this little bundle. Any time you can give students a choice, you’re bound to get better learning and engagement.
- Don’t use markers and don’t use liquid glue. These projects are best done with crayons or colored pencils and glue sticks.
Where You Can Find the Projects:
- My TPT store has the Make a Fairy Project, Make a Goblin Project, and the discounted bundle of the two projects together.
- My Etsy store has the Make a Fairy Project and the Make a Goblin Project for individual purchase.
- A version of these projects is included in my Middle School Genetics Workbook. Learn more about the workbook and see a video walkthrough.
- A huge bundle of genetics resources can be found in my TPT store and includes both projects.
Finding More Genetics Resources:
- My Middle School Genetics Workbook is filled with forty lessons (including versions of both of these projects) and is an ideal choice for homeschooling families.
- I have a ton of genetics resources in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. You can get both of these projects, along with many other genetics resources as part of the Genetics and Heredity Big Bundle.
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