What Makes You Who You Are?

Objectives:

• Students will be able to state the definition of traits.

• Students will be able to distinguish inherited traits from acquired traits.

• Students will recognize the importance of developing healthy self esteem.

Suggested Grades:

3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

Every person is different. We all have a combination of traits that we get from our parents or learn from the world around us. Inherited traits are characteristics that we are born with. We inherit traits from our parents. Some examples of inherited traits are the color of our hair and eyes. Acquired traits are things that we learn. It is not always easy to tell which traits are inherited and which are acquired. In fact, scientists think that some traits may be a combination of both. Sometimes we start out with an inherited trait that we develop because of what we learn. For example, you may have inherited intelligence from your mom, but it is up to you to use your intelligence to do well in school.

Continued...