Why do offspring look like their parents?  Because of their genes!  Not blue jeans, but the genes that contain genetic information.  As we study heredity over the next couple of weeks, students will compare and identify learned behaviors vs. inherited traits.  This also provides students with a chance to see how common some of their own inherited traits are.  How many people in our class have a "hitch-hiker's thumb" or attached earlobes?  How common are some of these traits among the entire fifth grade?  We will find out soon!