Biology

The Task

Name: _____________________________

Heredity Summative Assessment

This summative assessment is worth 30 points. It is not revisable.
Final product is due at the beginning of class on ______________________________.
Late work will NOT be accepted without prior approval from your teacher

For this task, you will provide a clear, accurate explanation to answer the prompt:
How did you become you?
What biological processes led to you having the unique set of traits that you
have (traits that are similar to your family, but still unique to you)?

Other Details:
- This is an independent task. You will turn in a final product of your own.
- There will be some in-class work time and some homework needed.
- There will be no late work accepted without prior approval from your teacher.

Things I understand about this task
Questions I have about this task













You will use facts and information learned in class to provide a written explanation. An explanation
answers the question, how? or why? and helps you understand something by telling what caused it.
This is different from an argument which is what you wrote for our last two Written Summative
Assessments.

Argument

Explanation

Biology

Final Product Options

Name: _____________________________

You get to decide what form your explanation will take. Read through the details of the three options.
Make notes about pros and cons of each.

Final Product Option

Short essay: A typed document that
clearly and concisely addressed the
prompt, 2-3 paragraphs in length

PROS (++)

CONS (--)

(Submit to your teacher using Google Docs)

Childrens Book: Create a childrens

book, using both words and
pictures, written in a way that a
child would understand how they
got their traits
Video Skit: A short video enacting
you explaining the prompt to a
family member OR some other skit
that clearly explains all aspects of
the prompt. MAX 3 minutes
*This option can be completed in a team of
2 people.

Writing Rubric
In the last column, write bullet points/notes to yourself next to significant parts of the rubric.

EXCEEDS STANDARD

MEETS STANDARD

Topic
Statement

Topic statement clearly and

completely answers the
question in the prompt,
introducing a complex and
thoughtful explanation.
Selects relevant, concrete
details and original, convincing
examples; describes and
defines all key terms
Explains details and
examples accurately,
completely and insightfully
with clear connections to
support topic statement
Conclusion statement
skillfully follows from and
supports the explanation
presented and suggests
implications or importance of
the topic
Explains at least three ways
that variation is created

Topic statement clearly and

completely answers the
question in the prompt.

Supporting
Details &
Examples
Analysis /
Explan-
ation
Conclusion
Statement

Scientific
Content #1

Scientific
Content #2

Explains the role of genetic

information in how traits are
passed down through
generations

APPROACHES
STANDARD

What do you need to

remember about this
to write your best
explanation?
Topic statement addresses
the prompt, but is vague or
unclear.

Selects details that may be

weak or unclear and
irrelevant examples; key
words
Attempts to explain details
and examples, but
explanation is vague or
unclear

Conclusion statement
doesnt clearly relate to the
topic statement.

Explains two ways that

variation is created

Mentions but fails to

explain ways that variation
is created

Mentions the role of DNA in

how traits are passed down
through generations

Does not discuss DNA in

explanation

Selects appropriate details

and relevant examples; uses
key terms accurately
Explains details and
examples accurately and
completely to support
assertion statement.

Conclusion statement
reiterates the topic statement.

Biology

Name: _____________________________


Planning and Outline (Will be checked by your teacher at the end of class)
Identify at least three assignments/notes that will guide your explanation.




You will have the remainder of class today to create an outline for your final product. You may work with
a partner today while brainstorming and planning, but everyone will submit their own final product.

We will have tech time on ___________________ to work on your final product. You should set aside time to
work on this project at home because anything not finished on _________________ is homework. You have no
other homework this week.

Prompt: How did you become you?

What biological processes led to you having the unique set of traits that you
have (traits that are similar to family, but still unique to you?)

What are the key points that your What supporting details does the
reader needs to understand?
reader need for complete
understanding of the key points?
(~3 per key point)

What examples will clearly

illustrate the key points for the
reader?
(~2 per key point

Biology

Name: _____________________________