Teacher Monitoring Guide
Grade 7 · Cycle 1 · Week 5 — Introduction to
Heredity
Learning Goal
Students will use Punnett squares and probability to predict the
likelihood of offspring inheriting specific traits, and distinguish
between genotype and phenotype.
Station Checkpoints
Station 1 — Hook & Phenomenon
Look for: Students connecting the phenomenon to prior knowledge and
generating testable questions
Common misconception: Dominant traits are always more common in a
population — use population data to show recessive traits can be more
frequent
Station 2 — Investigation / Data Collection
Look for: Accurate data recording and identification of emerging
patterns in the evidence
Common misconception: Offspring inherit half their traits from each
parent equally for all characteristics — clarify independent assortment
for unlinked genes
Station 3 — Sense-Making
Look for: Students revising their model based on evidence collected
during investigation
Common misconception: Punnett squares give exact counts, not
probabilities — emphasize that ratios are probabilistic predictions, not
guaranteed outcomes
Exit Ticket Monitoring
| Score Range |
Interpretation |
Next Step |
| 18–23 pts |
Meeting target |
Extend with synthesis question |
| 10–17 pts |
Developing |
Small group re-teach at day start |
| 0–9 pts |
Needs support |
1:1 intervention before next station |
MTSS Tier 2 Supports
For students scoring below 10 pts on the exit ticket: use the sentence
frames below during the next class's hook.
- "I notice that _____ because _____."
- "The evidence shows _____, which means _____."