FREE Gregor Mendel Unit Study at 3 Reading Levels for Kids

If you are learning about Biology one of the first scientists you will learn about is Gregor Mendel. If you are studying Botany, you will also learn about Gregor Mendel. He was a monk, a teacher, a priest, a botanist, a naturalist and a famous scientist. This famous botanist studied peas and pollination from bees. He used his studies to prove his well known theories that genes are passed down from parent to child. 

His discoveries of genetics became known as Mendelism and Mendel’s Laws. Gregor Mendel was the first person lay down the mathematical foundation for the science of genetics. He didn’t know it at the time, but he created an entire branch or field of Science just from his studies! Because of this, he is known as the father of genetics. 

Gregor Mendel Biography:

Gregor Johann Mendel was born in Czechoslovakia in 1822. He was born in in Heinzendorf village, which was the main source of agriculture and fruit growing at that time. Since agriculture was such a main part of the culture at that time, all school children were taught in great detail about plants, nature and farming.

His father was heavily involved in agriculture and tending to and growing fruit trees. Because of this, Mendel grew up in gardening and his love for plants and studying nature grew. He went on to become a monk so he could finish his schooling. He lived in the Abbey of St. Thomas where he was a teacher of science. 

• Full life Biography of Gregor Mendel – Biography.com
• Gregor Mendel Biography, Facts and Timeline – Study.com
• Gregor Mendel Facts for Kids – Kids Kiddle
• Famous Scientist Gregor Mendel – Biography, Facts, and an in depth look at his scientific studies with graphs, and photos. – Famous Scientists

FREE Gregor Mendel Unit Study

We’ve created free Gregor Mendel learning packs to help kids of multiple ages learn more about this scientist and his revolutionary work. Use the whole pack as a small unit study of Gregor Mendel or grab just a couple of page as a supplement to any homeschool curriculum you may already be using.

The free digital printable pack includes:

• Image Analysis of the scientist and/or his or her work
• Read a Passage about the scientist with a place to take short notes
• 5 Key Vocabulary Words from the passages with definitions as well as opportunity to use the word in a sentence and/or draw an image to help your student learn the word
• Vocabulary Flashcards to use 2 ways: fold and learn or cut apart to use as a memory game
• 3-2-1 Reflection which gives a child the opportunity to write 3 things learned, 2 connections made, and 1 thing he or she would like to learn more about
• 3 Multiple Choice Questions with an opportunity to explain the their answer
• 3 Short Answer Questions
• 3 Reflect and Discuss Questions which can be used for personal reflection or to discuss as a family, homeschool co-op or classs.

And because we know that homeschool families may want to learn about the history of Gregor Mendel’s life and work together, we’ve also designed it at 3 different reading levels:

• Level 1 = Approximately Grade 3 reading level
• Level 2 = Approximately Grade 6 reading level
• Level 3 = Approximately Grade 9 reading level

Grab your copy of one or all three reading levels below today!

More Printables and Resources About Gregor Mendel:

We’ve also searched the internet to compile a HSG FREE Resource Roundup list for you to give you even more choices. If you want additional homeschool resources to learn more about Gregor Mendel then check out these options:

• Who is Gregor Mendell? – Education.com
• DNA Worksheet Coloring Page – Education.com
• Heredity Parents and Offspring Worksheet – Education.com
• Mendel Genetics Lesson Plans and Worksheets – NGSS Life Science
• Chromosomes Lesson Plans and Worksheets – NGSS Life Science
• What Gregor Mendel and Growing Peas Can Teach Us About Heredity with free activity sheets. – Blog She Wrote 
• Gregor Mendel Unit Study and Notebooking Page – Spell Outloud

My daughter learned about genetics in one of the modules in her homeschool Biology science class this year. She loves science and has really enjoyed Biology, but this module on genetics had her in tears. She was so confused by it and she did not do well on her test at all. Genetics can be super confusing, trying to keep track of everything, and there is math involved too. 

I wish we had just a little more time to spend on it. She is more of a visual learner. I think that some extra hands-on activities would have really helped her to grasp the concept and understand it just a little bit better. Punnet Squares are a great visual and activity for practicing. Thankfully there are lots of free worksheets, and activities that can help.

Hands-On Genetic Experiments and Projects

Check out these hands-on projects that would go well with a study on Gregor Mendel and genetics:

• Biology for Kids – Mendel and Inheritance – Ducksters
• Teach Genetics With Jelly Beans – The Owl Teacher
• How to Extract Strawberry DNA Science Activity – Little Bins for Little Hands
• Gummy Bear Genetics Science Experiment Grades 9-12 – Teacher Vision
• DNA, Genes, and the Punnet Square – Elemental Blogging 
• Punnet Square Worksheet Activities – Learny Kids
• Ten Punnett Square Worksheet Ideas for Middle School through AP Levels – Biology Junction

Paid Resource: Famous People Notebook: Scientists

Daily Skill Building has created an open-and-go notebooking study called Famous People Notebook: Scientists to explore the life and work of 10 scientists that changed history. This biographical unit studies include text, comprehension questions, written narration, and answers.

What to Explore More Famous Scientists?

This is part 10 of our 12 post series on famous scientists. If you would like to add even more scientists into your lesson plans then be sure to go to our Pierre & Marie Curie unit study below to get another free pack.