DNA game The aim of this game is to let students experience what it s like to be in someone else s shoes, by creating an avatar with a certain physical appearance and sometimes talents. The game teaches them that DNA is a lottery, but at the same time lets them maintain a certain distance from their own personality. (We recommend letting students talk about their avatar using he or she, not I and me.) assignment is to compare the cards they have drawn and fill in worksheets. After having done so there is room for class discussion. Examples: What does a certain physical feature mean for your avatar? What does being richer or poorer than the other avatars mean for yours when Christmas comes around? If this was another country, what would the difference be between the male and female avatars, regarding education, social status, etc.? What does the colour of your avatar s skin mean when it applies for a job? The students The worksheet has room for the students to draw their avatar. Of course they will interpret the avatars features differently depending on their personal views. This could also be a point of discussion. (e.g. can someone with a chess piece, meaning logical thinking and intelligence, have a disadvantage socially) Some of the cards have question marks on them. The students that have such a card can draw a chance card. On these cards are background stories which can create problems for their avatars, e.g. reasons why they aren t in school much or why they dress differently. These cards are to be added when there is more room or need for class discussion, but they can be omitted. This pack contains: 36 dad cards 36 mom cards 10 chance cards a two page worksheet for students N.B.: To distinguish between the dad, mom and chance cards they need to be printed on different types of paper (see below).
Your parents signed you up for a drama class, because they want you to be famous. Your brother is a custodian at your school. You live further away from school than anyone else. You have to ride the train all by yourself every day, if the train rides at all that is. You are obsessed with a certain boy- or girl-band. You entered a contest and got to meet them last year. You have nine brothers and sisters who all give you their old stuff to wear. Your parents insist on taking you with them when they go to Antarctica on expedition for their work, which is twice a year for five weeks.
You are allergic to all the foods in the cafeteria and to all kinds of animals and plants. Your father is a huge comic book fan and the only clothes you get to wear are superhero t-shirts. Your overbearing mother makes you wear a helmet for your safety everywhere you go. You are the new kid in school. You just started this week and haven t had time to get to know your peers.
Name: My avatar Draw your avatar s hair and colour the skin, hair and eyes. boy / girl Circle your avatar s talents. Draw a nice picture of your avatar in the box below:
Key to the DNA cards, what does your avatar look like? Compare both your cards and fill in the worksheet. Below the pictograms you can make a drawing of your avatar. 1. Eye colour: blue / brown / green Brown eyes are dominant over green and blue eyes. Green eyes are dominant over blue eyes. 2. Hair colour: black / blonde / brown / ginger Hair type: straight / curly / wavy Brown hair is dominant over all other colours. Black hair is dominant over blonde and ginger. Blond is dominant over ginger. Wavy hair is dominant over straight and curly hair. Straight hair is dominant over curly hair. 3. Skin tone: Pink / Yellow / Brown / Red There is no dominance of one skintone over another. The colours mix like paint. 4. From father: X / Y, From mother: X When inherited a Y from dad: male. When inherited a X from dad: female. 5. Wealth Count the purple boxes and divide by two. 6. Talents: Music / Sports / Arts / Chess These indicate a talent or interest, and can mean belonging to a certain (social / cultural) group. 7. Question mark Draw a chance card.