Pedigree Swap

Students need to practice designing pedigrees in a supportive environment so they can learn by making and correcting their mistakes as well as by helping their group members as they too are learning the process

1. Have each group write a story about a family and their relationships to each other, including the name of each family member. Each group should also sketch a pedigree for that family adding their names as they appear in the story.
Some guidelines:

• Tell them this is in preparation for "The Ultimate Pedigree Challenge" that they will each be facing soon.
• The story should be something that the teacher would feel comfortable reading in front of the class.
• Give them a specific amount of time (depending on how much you have available) and tell them when they have 10 minutes and then 5 minutes to go.
• Suggest that they develop the story and pedigree in parallel so that they don't run out of time and can't complete both tasks.

2. Collect the story and pedigree from each group. (you may want to read the stories to be sure they are appropriate)

3. Hand back ONLY the stories, but give them to a group that did not write the story and have them draw the pedigree described in the story on a white board or overhead transparency so that they can share their findings with the class.

4. Have each group point out the members of the family on the pedigree they just designed as they read the story to the class and see how close their pedigree matches the one designed by the original group.

NOTE: You will find that either group may make mistakes, but they will all learn from them. Constructing pedigrees with support from their peers will help them find their problem areas early and correct. them.

return to Family History

return to Home