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FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity
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Description

This free DNA text reading activity is based on Watson and Crick's famous one-page article published in 1953 in Nature magazine, announcing their discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule. It comes with graphic organizers to help your students read and understand this classic scientific paper. Choose to use the traditional printable version, or the paperless, digital Google Apps version. Both Google Slides and Google Forms versions are included.

This is a fantastic way to teach students how to read scientific texts and articles. Students will read the one-page paper and complete a 4-page set of graphic organizers. Each graphic organizer page can be used alone or in combination with the other pages.

This activity is intended to be used with high school biology students. Students will gain experience in reading scientific journal articles and will be exposed to a major event in the history of science.

This article and accompanying graphic organizers are perfect for:

  • Classwork or homework assignment.
  • A quick and ready lesson for your substitute folder.
  • Early finishers.
  • Any Common Core lesson on information text.

Included in this product:

  • Watson and Crick Paper
  • Copyright Information
  • Teacher Guide and Instructions for Use
  • Printable Four-page Set of Graphic Organizers
  • Teacher Answer Key
  • Paperless Digital Version for use in Google Drive, Google Classroom, and /or Microsoft OneDrive
  • Google Slides Version (not editable)
  • Google Forms Version (editable)

The graphic organizers look best when printed in color, but print perfectly fine if you print using the grayscale setting on your printer.

Related resources include:

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Google Sheets Hidden Picture Reveal Games

Biology Buzz Words: DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Complete Teaching Bundle

Science Reading Task Cards (Set of 75 cards)

Graphic Organizers (Color and Black/White) for any science informational text (Set of 23 graphic organizers)

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Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

FREE DNA Reading Watson Crick DNA Structure Activity

Amy Brown Science
22.9k Followers
FREE

Highlights

Digital downloads
Standards icon
Standards
Pages
9
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
55 minutes

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Description

This free DNA text reading activity is based on Watson and Crick's famous one-page article published in 1953 in Nature magazine, announcing their discovery of the structure of the DNA molecule. It comes with graphic organizers to help your students read and understand this classic scientific paper. Choose to use the traditional printable version, or the paperless, digital Google Apps version. Both Google Slides and Google Forms versions are included.

This is a fantastic way to teach students how to read scientific texts and articles. Students will read the one-page paper and complete a 4-page set of graphic organizers. Each graphic organizer page can be used alone or in combination with the other pages.

This activity is intended to be used with high school biology students. Students will gain experience in reading scientific journal articles and will be exposed to a major event in the history of science.

This article and accompanying graphic organizers are perfect for:

  • Classwork or homework assignment.
  • A quick and ready lesson for your substitute folder.
  • Early finishers.
  • Any Common Core lesson on information text.

Included in this product:

  • Watson and Crick Paper
  • Copyright Information
  • Teacher Guide and Instructions for Use
  • Printable Four-page Set of Graphic Organizers
  • Teacher Answer Key
  • Paperless Digital Version for use in Google Drive, Google Classroom, and /or Microsoft OneDrive
  • Google Slides Version (not editable)
  • Google Forms Version (editable)

The graphic organizers look best when printed in color, but print perfectly fine if you print using the grayscale setting on your printer.

Related resources include:

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Google Sheets Hidden Picture Reveal Games

Biology Buzz Words: DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis

DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Complete Teaching Bundle

Science Reading Task Cards (Set of 75 cards)

Graphic Organizers (Color and Black/White) for any science informational text (Set of 23 graphic organizers)

For updates about sales and new products, please follow my store:

My TpT Store

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

4.7
Rated 4.71 out of 5, based on 153 reviews
153
ratings
5
123
4
27
3
2
2
1
1
0
Mostly used with 9th and 10th grades
Reviews
7
9
22
34
37
14
14
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
All verified TPT purchases
Just what I needed
Rated 5 out of 5
May 20, 2026
Was perfect for my 6th grade class. It was easy to use.
Valerie D.
53 reviews • Illinois
Grades taught: 6th, 7th, 8th
Great Resource
Rated 5 out of 5
March 25, 2026
Met expectations
Would purchase more
Standards-aligned
This resource is exceptionally well designed and incredibly useful for both students and educators. It presents information in a clear, organized, and engaging way, making complex concepts easier to understand. The activities and examples are practical and relevant, which helps reinforce learning. Overall, it is a high‑quality resource that supports learning effectively and saves valuable preparation time.
Margarita T.
384 reviews
Grades taught: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Great Lesson
Rated 5 out of 5
February 10, 2026
Met expectations
Would purchase more
Standards-aligned
This lesson worked well for all my sixth grade, middle school students. Thank You!
Terra M.
347 reviews • California
Grades taught: 6th, 7th, 8th
identifying key concepts
Rated 5 out of 5
January 29, 2026
The graphic organizer helped structure the information and supported note-taking during the lesson. Some students used it effectively, while others needed additional guidance to complete it accurately. The organizer assisted with identifying key concepts but did not fully support deeper analysis. Overall, the activity was helpful but could be improved with more modeling and examples.
Jennifer M.
208 reviews • North Carolina
Grades taught: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
great resource
Rated 5 out of 5
January 7, 2026
It is detailed enough for my students and great resource!
Nnenna K.
324 reviews
Grades taught: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Great Resource
Rated 5 out of 5
December 7, 2025
The is a great resource for furthering my Biology lessons.
Daphne M.
714 reviews • Idaho
Grades taught: 9th, 10th
Great for cover
Rated 5 out of 5
October 2, 2025
Met expectations
Would purchase more
Standards-aligned
This is a great resource to use within a cover booklet.
ashley Wilhite
(TPT Seller)
290 reviews • Louisiana
Grades taught: 6th, 7th, 8th
Awesome resource
Rated 5 out of 5
September 21, 2025
Met expectations
Would purchase more
Standards-aligned
Well created and easy to use. Student enjoyed using resource.
Kapia
(TPT Seller)
74 reviews
Grades taught: 11th, 12th

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
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