WHAT THIS MODEL HELPS US SEE
Nested cards show part-whole relationships and let pupils physically trace from a cell to one gene.
LAUNCH · GCSE Biology · Lesson 13 of 18 · IntroduceLAUNCH · GCSE Biology · Week 12 · Introduce
Genetic Information: Cell to Gene
Sequence outcome: Describe DNA, genes and chromosomes.
🎯 Learning objective: I can describe where genetic information is stored and how chromosomes, DNA, genes and the genome are related.
✅ Success criteria
- I can order the genetic-information hierarchy.
- I can define chromosome, DNA, gene and genome.
- I can correct a reversed or scale-distorted hierarchy.
Arrival · previous learningStarter · observe / predictI Do · model the reasoningWe Do · hinge & responseI Do 2 · connect / extendWe Do 2 · scientific model / dataIndependent · evidence & transferExit · receive and use the response
🧪 Hierarchy Lab: locate a gene without mixing up cell, nucleus, chromosome and DNA.⏱ 40 minutes📍 C42 only🔁 Live Lundy loop↺ Retry without penalty
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 4 min
🚪 Arrival · previous learningRetrieve only what has already been taught
- Lessons 10–12: evidence and model limits prevent overclaiming.
- Lessons 1–3: chromosomes are copied before mitosis.
- W3: magnification does not guarantee resolution.
- Lead-in: can a light microscope show the molecular structure of DNA?
New to this class, absent, or not sure? Everything needed is in the retrieval box above. Read it, point to it or ask a familiar adult to read it exactly.
◆ Supported
- Point to the nucleus inside the cell.
- Choose: chromosomes are copied before or after daughter cells form?
- Match bigger image to magnification.
- Lead-in: place CELL before NUCLEUS.
▲ Standard
- State where chromosomes are found in a eukaryotic cell.
- Recall why daughter cells receive identical chromosome sets in mitosis.
- Distinguish magnification from resolution.
- Lead-in: predict whether a gene is larger or smaller than a chromosome.
★ Stretch
- Connect copied chromosomes to genetically identical daughter cells.
- Explain why a microscope image cannot reveal DNA's molecular detail.
- Name one danger of a not-to-scale nesting model.
- Lead-in: distinguish a chromosome from a gene without defining either as a cell.
LAUNCH response routes
📝 write / edit🗣 structured verbal📏 measure / calculate📊 graph / interpret🧪 practical / demonstrate↺ re-attempt
Access changes the response route, not the GCSE Biology entitlement.
🔊 Read-aloud route: a familiar adult may read the task exactly while the text remains visible. No device voice or media permission is required.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 4 min
🌱 Starter · observe / predictWhich order moves from a large biological structure to a smaller part of its genetic material?
LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 1
CELL · contains a nucleus
Start big.
LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 2
CHROMOSOME · one long DNA molecule
Humans: 46 chromosomes in most body cells, 23 pairs.
LOCAL VISUAL HOOK · FRAME 3
GENE · a section of DNA
Different genes sit at different sections; the genome is the whole set.
Commit one first idea. Predictions are held, not marked. Pointing, selecting, saying or signing all count.
Choose one idea. The lesson will test it; nothing is scored or saved.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 5 min
👩🏫 I Do · model the reasoningMake the first scientific idea visible
CHROMOSOMEpackaged DNAa long DNA molecule associated with proteins and carrying many genes
GENEsection of DNAa section of DNA that codes for a specific protein
GENOMEall an organism's DNAthe entire DNA of an organism
WHAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT SHOW
The cards are not to scale, omit most molecular detail and can wrongly imply chromosomes are always X-shaped if the limitation is not stated.
Step 1
Start with a eukaryotic body cell and locate its nucleus.
Step 2
Inside the nucleus, identify chromosomes; each chromosome contains one long DNA molecule associated with proteins.
Step 3
Zoom conceptually to DNA: a gene is a section of that DNA, and the genome is all the organism's DNA.
Word help keeps the scientific term visible and adds a plain-language bridge.
🔬 Zoom in · press the levels from biggest to smallest
Biggest first.
Which is right?
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 5 min
🤝 We Do · hinge & responseWhich relationship is correct?
Everyone commits before explanation.
Use a button, point, say/sign or let an adult operate the chosen button. A retry is information, not a penalty.
Choose one response, then use the model to explain or retry.
Audience move: the adult names back the Science heard or seen, without upgrading the pupil’s words.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 4 min
👩🏫 I Do 2 · connect / extendConnect the model to the second idea
Connection: the model is useful when its visible pattern is translated into a scientific explanation.
Connection 1
A gene's base sequence provides information for making a particular protein; the lesson does not require Higher-tier protein-synthesis stages.
Connection 2
Different genes occupy different sections of chromosome DNA, while the genome includes all chromosomes and other DNA in the organism.
Connection 3
Chromosomes are not permanently X-shaped; that familiar shape represents a condensed, copied chromosome during cell division.
MODEL STRENGTH
Nested cards show part-whole relationships and let pupils physically trace from a cell to one gene.
MODEL LIMIT
The cards are not to scale, omit most molecular detail and can wrongly imply chromosomes are always X-shaped if the limitation is not stated.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 4 min
🤝 We Do 2 · scientific model / dataGenetic hierarchy placement lab
Place each description at the correct level, then read the complete hierarchy aloud or by pointing.
CELLNUCLEUSCHROMOSOMEDNAGENE
Cards to place
Matching groups
No level placed. Begin with the largest structure and work inward.
🧩 Science glitch · find and repair it
Claim: A gene contains DNA, and DNA contains chromosomes.
The incorrect idea is shown as a challenge, never as teaching.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 10 min
✏️ Independent · evidence & transferBuild and annotate the genetic-information hierarchy, then explain one model strength and one limitation.
👐 Physical route
Nested hierarchy cards, chromosome/DNA ribbon model, labels, arrow strip and pencil.
Same outcome: I can describe where genetic information is stored and how chromosomes, DNA, genes and the genome are related.
🖥 Offline digital / director route
Use the local placement lab with the same hierarchy and descriptions; it makes no network request.
Same evidence: An ordered hierarchy, accurate definitions and one honest statement about scale or shape.
🧰 Equipment / setupNested hierarchy cards, chromosome/DNA ribbon model, labels, arrow strip and pencil.
🛡 Safety / sensoryDesk-based. Use large pieces rather than small loose beads where choking or fine-motor access is a concern.
🖥 Offline parityUse the local placement lab with the same hierarchy and descriptions; it makes no network request.
No-equipment/access route: Direct an adult to place each large card and dictate the contains/section-of links.
◆ Supported
Order five icon-backed cards and complete: a gene is a section of __.
Scaffold
Two cards are pre-positioned; use contains and part of arrows.
▲ Standard
Build the full hierarchy and write two linked relationship sentences.
Scaffold
Use: The nucleus contains __. A gene is __.
★ Stretch
Explain the hierarchy, include genome and critique the permanent-X and scale misconceptions.
Scaffold
Keep to Foundation content; depth comes from relational precision and model evaluation.
Evidence gate
1 · Pupil decisionPrediction, question, method or choice is visible.
2 · Observable evidenceA result, source note, model state or adult observation is preserved.
3 · Pupil meaningAn ordered hierarchy, accurate definitions and one honest statement about scale or shape.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
⏱ 4 min
🎫 Exit · receive and use the responseFinish with an edit or re-attempt on the existing work
Supported
Complete: a gene is a section of __.
Standard
Describe how a chromosome, DNA and a gene are related.
Stretch
Why can the nesting model be useful even though it is not to scale?
Adult Audience
The familiar adult genuinely receives the pupil response, then says back the Science they heard or saw. The adult does not add a score or rewrite the pupil.
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting
Receive the pupil’s Voice, complete real Audience, then choose what changes.
Session state is temporary. Reload clears responses; there is no account, upload or saved pupil identity.
QUESTIONEVIDENCEPATTERNEXPLANATIONAPPLICATIONEVALUATION
LAUNCH rule: explanation is earned through prediction, observation, measurement, calculation or reasoning from evidence.
🛡 SPACE
🗣 VOICE
👂 AUDIENCE
⚙ INFLUENCE
SPACE available · VOICE waiting · AUDIENCE waiting · INFLUENCE waiting