Middle school collection; specific grade not stated.
Archived standards are preserved as originally published and may differ from current standards.
Compelling question
Unit Compelling Question: What does it mean to be human?
Lesson Compelling Question: Where do I go from here?
OSEU: Identity and Resiliency
OSEU: Way of Life and Development
Standards & practices
2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the Oceti Sakowin people’s understanding of the interrelationship of
spiritual, social, and emotional health.
2.3 Recognize that there is a continuum of tribal identity, ranging from assimilated to traditional
lifestyle, that includes each unique or individual member within the Oceti Sakowin.
7.2 Examine and describe actions taken by Oceti Sakowin individuals and communities to bring
about social change.
MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located
on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the
structure and function of the organism.
MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with
identical genetic information while sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variation of traits
in a population increases some individuals’ probability of survival and reproduction.
Staging the question
We cannot control our genetic make-up but we can control our behaviors. How do environmental
factors affect DNA? What control do we have in our daily lives to ensure that we become the
healthiest physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually?
Supporting inquiries
Supporting question 1
How is DNA affected by environmental
factors?
Formative performance task
How can environmental factors change
DNA?
Provide examples of how
environmental factors can affect DNA
What are agents called that damage
DNA?
Have students fill out a graphic
organizer that lists different kinds of
environmental factors and events and
describes the changes they cause.
Featured sources
http://www.wolakotaproject.org/oseu-
two-janelle-williams-this-is-who-we-
are/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z
wibgNGe4aY
DNA basics
Supporting question 2
What choices do I make that affect
my wellness?
Formative performance task
Case studies of sun exposure
damage, X rays pesticides, asbestos,
and food additives affecting DNA.
Discuss how activities such as
smoking and unhealthy eating
habits can also alter the ways genes
are expressed, which changes a
person’s traits.
Reiterate how environmental
factors affect DNA
Featured sources
https://www.pearsonrealize.com/c
ommunity/program/bf73cedf-0847-
39d6-b148-
6f7b92117c87/8/resources
eText video on environmental
factors affecting DNA
Supporting question 3
How can I be the best me?
Formative performance task
Each student will write a plan of action
highlighting positive behaviors and
choices that will help to limit potential
harmful affects from environmental
factors.
Wellness Wheel goals will be included
with follow-up conferences to check on
the status of their goals
Discuss movements within the
community with the purpose of
improving health for Oceti Sakowin.
Students should reflect on the roles in
their lives, how they learned them, and
how those roles can be used to the
good of the community.
Students will create a DNA model to demonstrate the structure and sequence of
DNA material. (pg 197 Focus on Mastery) How do the pipe cleaners and beads relate
to the structure of DNA? How do the pipe cleaners and beads relate to the function
of DNA? Have students label the model parts.
Extension
Students will demonstrate DNA replication through the processes of transcription
and translation with a sketch. This is a very complex process for middle school
students to grasp so online simulations and videos from the curriculum will be used
as supplemental, supportive material.
Taking informed action
Community health professionals including counseling, diabetes prevention, and elders among others
could be invited into the classroom to discuss services available. Students could also interview
professionals from within their families or the community to discuss traditional roles as well as the
evolution of roles with the passing of time.
The complete archived text is retained here, including details that may extend beyond the inquiry blueprint.
Read the full archived lesson text
Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
“Lesson Title” | OSEU 2: Identity & Resiliency
“Lesson Title” | OSEU 7: Way of Life & Development
Compelling
Question
Unit Compelling Question: What does it mean to be human?
Lesson Compelling Question: Where do I go from here?
OSEU: Identity and Resiliency
OSEU: Way of Life and Development
Standards and
Practices
2.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the Oceti Sakowin people’s understanding of the interrelationship of
spiritual, social, and emotional health.
2.3 Recognize that there is a continuum of tribal identity, ranging from assimilated to traditional
lifestyle, that includes each unique or individual member within the Oceti Sakowin.
7.2 Examine and describe actions taken by Oceti Sakowin individuals and communities to bring
about social change.
MS-LS3-1 Develop and use a model to describe why structural changes to genes (mutations) located
on chromosomes may affect proteins and may result in harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects to the
structure and function of the organism.
MS-LS3-2 Develop and use a model to describe why asexual reproduction results in offspring with
identical genetic information while sexual reproduction results in offspring with genetic variation.
MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variation of traits
in a population increases some individuals’ probability of survival and reproduction.
Staging the
Question
We cannot control our genetic make-up but we can control our behaviors. How do environmental
factors affect DNA? What control do we have in our daily lives to ensure that we become the
healthiest physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually?
Supporting Question 1
Supporting Question 2
Supporting Question 3
How is DNA affected by environmental
factors?
What choices do I make that affect
my wellness?
How can I be the best me?
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
Formative Performance Task
How can environmental factors change
DNA?
Provide examples of how
environmental factors can affect DNA
What are agents called that damage
DNA?
Have students fill out a graphic
organizer that lists different kinds of
environmental factors and events and
Case studies of sun exposure
damage, X rays pesticides, asbestos,
and food additives affecting DNA.
Discuss how activities such as
smoking and unhealthy eating
habits can also alter the ways genes
are expressed, which changes a
person’s traits.
Reiterate how environmental
Each student will write a plan of action
highlighting positive behaviors and
choices that will help to limit potential
harmful affects from environmental
factors.
Wellness Wheel goals will be included
with follow-up conferences to check on
the status of their goals
Discuss movements within the
community with the purpose of
describes the changes they cause.
factors affect DNA
improving health for Oceti Sakowin.
Students should reflect on the roles in
their lives, how they learned them, and
how those roles can be used to the
good of the community.
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
Featured Sources
http://www.wolakotaproject.org/oseu-
two-janelle-williams-this-is-who-we-
are/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z
wibgNGe4aY
DNA basics
https://www.pearsonrealize.com/c
ommunity/program/bf73cedf-0847-
39d6-b148-
6f7b92117c87/8/resources
eText video on environmental
factors affecting DNA
http://www.wolakotaproject.org/oseu-
seven-role-community-ricky-gray-
grass/
Summative
Performance Task
Argument
Students will create a DNA model to demonstrate the structure and sequence of
DNA material. (pg 197 Focus on Mastery) How do the pipe cleaners and beads relate
to the structure of DNA? How do the pipe cleaners and beads relate to the function
of DNA? Have students label the model parts.
Extension
Students will demonstrate DNA replication through the processes of transcription
and translation with a sketch. This is a very complex process for middle school
students to grasp so online simulations and videos from the curriculum will be used
as supplemental, supportive material.
Taking Informed
Action
Community health professionals including counseling, diabetes prevention, and elders among others
could be invited into the classroom to discuss services available. Students could also interview
professionals from within their families or the community to discuss traditional roles as well as the
evolution of roles with the passing of time.