Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: describe the principles of selective breeding (artificial selection)
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe phenotype, genotype, heritability, selection differential and response to selection.
  • Explain each step of a selective‑breeding programme and use the breeder’s equation to predict response.
  • Compare artificial selection with natural selection, highlighting advantages, limitations and effects on genetic diversity.
  • Analyse case studies (dairy cattle, maize, dogs) to illustrate real‑world applications of selective breeding.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector and screen
  • Slide deck covering key concepts and equations
  • Handouts with breeder’s equation and worksheet for calculations
  • Sample images of crops and animal breeds
  • Calculators and coloured pens
  • Whiteboard and markers
 Introduction:

Begin with a short video showing how humans have transformed dogs and crops over centuries. Ask students to recall what they know about natural selection and link it to the idea of “selection by humans”. State that by the end of the lesson they will be able to explain the steps of a selective‑breeding programme and perform a simple response‑to‑selection calculation.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑Now (5') – quick quiz on natural vs. artificial selection.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10') – introduce phenotype, genotype, heritability, selection differential (S) and response (R) with the breeder’s equation.
  3. Guided practice (15') – students work in pairs to calculate R from given h² and S values on the worksheet.
  4. Group activity (15') – design a simple selective‑breeding cycle for a chosen trait (e.g., larger fruit) and outline each step.
  5. Case‑study discussion (10') – examine dairy cattle and maize examples; compare outcomes and ethical considerations.
  6. Exit ticket (5') – write one advantage and one limitation of artificial selection.
Conclusion:

Summarise the key steps of a breeding programme and the importance of heritability in predicting response. Collect exit tickets to gauge understanding and assign homework: each student selects a locally relevant crop or animal and proposes a realistic selective‑breeding objective, justifying it with one genetic principle learned today.