Using Sesame Street Characters to Explain Genetic

This author used five Sesame Street characters to explain how genetics works. She had her students write out the phenotypes and genotypes of characters like Grover, Elmo, and Zoe. For exampl... See More

This author used five Sesame Street characters to explain how genetics works. She had her students write out the phenotypes and genotypes of characters like Grover, Elmo, and Zoe. For example, there were the easy to identify traits of amount of hair (hairy or bald), nose shape, and body color. These traits are different from humans, of course, and that was the whole point. The author wanted to make it interesting for the students; she figured using characters with funky traits would be more fun than regular human traits. I found this idea fascinating. I would never have thought to do something like this with my future students, but it would be so much fun for them. Also, by using Sesame Street characters, students won’t be so self-conscious about any abnormalities that they might have inherited. The author provided all of the activity sheets to make it easy for me to duplicate and use in a classroom.

Sesame Street: The Next Generation

To make the topic of genes and chromosomes more interesting this teacher launched a week long discussion based on what a baby would look like if Elmo and Zoe were married? Students write dow... See More

To make the topic of genes and chromosomes more interesting this teacher launched a week long discussion based on what a baby would look like if Elmo and Zoe were married? Students write down the characteristics of the parents and create a gene map. They them generate what the baby would look like. Students then create the next generation of characters as well while learning about gametes, chromosomes, and alleles. All the activity sheets are provided so this activity can be duplicated in middle or high school classes.

Sesame Street Genetics for Middle Grades

I really like the hands-on student-centered genetic lesson/activity as described in this article. I was looking for a lesson that will offer a quick overview/review and hands-on opportunity ... See More

I really like the hands-on student-centered genetic lesson/activity as described in this article. I was looking for a lesson that will offer a quick overview/review and hands-on opportunity on genetics for my student that will help prepare them for the mandated state testing next month, and this one looks like a great fit. The directions are clear and appear easy to follow, and the article includes all of the necessary tables, lab directions and write-ups. I am looking forward to implementing this activity within the next few weeks. I think my students will really enjoy learning genetics with Sesame Street.

An exciting concept....possibly modified

I have seen this used as a student project, and it works really well. My only note is that fewer students know Sesame Street anymore and I may attempt with another set of characters more po... See More

I have seen this used as a student project, and it works really well. My only note is that fewer students know Sesame Street anymore and I may attempt with another set of characters more popular to the time.

Similar to paper pets.

The genetics of Sesame Street has students looking at a fictional situation, Sesame Street, and applying the concept of genetics and inheritance to it. I like if for its simplicity. A teac... See More

The genetics of Sesame Street has students looking at a fictional situation, Sesame Street, and applying the concept of genetics and inheritance to it. I like if for its simplicity. A teacher needs to be carefuly about using a student's family traits and this way all students can be invovled without any concerns. This activity is not as invovled as the paper pets which would be important if a teacher had a limited amount of time.