1. Students will be able to construct explanations for how biological adaptations and genetic variations of traits in a population enhance the probability of survival in a particular environment. 8.E.6B.1
2. Students will be able to construct and analyze scientific arguments to support claims that different types of fossils provide evidence of (1) the diversity of life that has been present on Earth, (2) relationships between past and existing life forms, and (3) environmental changes that have occurred during Earth's history. 8.E.6A.4
Content Knowledge Support
Read and compete interactive science workbook pages 542-549.
Discussion Topic
- Do you agree or disagree with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection? Explain why or why not using at least 3 specific details from the content knowledge resource(s) provided during this module as well as your own research. Be sure to include specific reference(s) to your own research.
Recommended Exercises
(Level 4) Evaluation
Choose your favorite organism and explain how this organisms population will change over generations of time IF its natural habitat suddenly become populated with millions of people using this graphic organizer and assignment TEMPLATE. |
Additional Exercises & Extensions
(Level 1) Comprehension
|
|
(Level 2) Application
1. Navigate entirely through the Similarities and differences: understanding homology and analogy interactive (flash required) and answer the following questions:
1. Navigate entirely through the Similarities and differences: understanding homology and analogy interactive (flash required) and answer the following questions:
- How are homologies and analogies different?
- What are the 3 criteria scientists use to determine if a shared characteristic is a homology?
- What is one piece of evidence that humans, chimps, and gorillas are more closely related to each other than either of them is related to the panda?
- Based on this interactive what do you think the relationship is between some past and present life forms?
(Level 3) Analysis
1. Complete A Whale of a Tale SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
2. The following image is of fossils typically found in some parts of South Carolina dated to be from the Oligocene period 33.9 million to 23 million years ago and the Pleistocene epoch 2.58 million years ago - 0.012 million years ago. Using this evidence answer each of the following questions using content knowledge from the module to support your answers:
1. Complete A Whale of a Tale SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
2. The following image is of fossils typically found in some parts of South Carolina dated to be from the Oligocene period 33.9 million to 23 million years ago and the Pleistocene epoch 2.58 million years ago - 0.012 million years ago. Using this evidence answer each of the following questions using content knowledge from the module to support your answers:
- What do these fossils suggest about the environment changes that have occurred over millions of years in these parts of South Carolina? (hint - where would you normally find these kinds of organisms today?)
- What does this fossil evidence tell you about the diversity of life that has been present on Earth?
- What does this fossil evidence tell you relationships between past and existing life forms?
3. After watching the video below about the evolution of the rock pocket mouse answer the following questions or complete the Rock Pocket Mouse EDPuzzle.
- How did a volcanic eruption over 40 miles long in the Valley of Fire in New Mexico over 1,000 years ago change the environment?
- What happens to many of the lighter colored mice on the newer volcanic rock in this area?
- True or false - the population of mice in this area of New Mexico evolved (changed over time) when the environment changed over 1,000 years ago due to a volcanic eruption.
- IF being camouflaged gives the mice only a 1% advantage for survival, approximately how much of the population will be camouflaged in 1000 years?
- IF being camouflaged gives the mice a 10% advantage for survival, approximately how long would it take the population of mice to change over time to become darker in color?
(Level 4) Evaluation
1. Choose your favorite organism and explain how this organisms population will change over generations of time IF its natural habitat suddenly become populated with millions of people using this graphic organizer and assignment TEMPLATE.
1. Choose your favorite organism and explain how this organisms population will change over generations of time IF its natural habitat suddenly become populated with millions of people using this graphic organizer and assignment TEMPLATE.
2. Did dinosaurs really evolve into birds?
3. Watch this video about some common misconceptions about the process of natural selection and evaluate which misconceptions about natural selection you had. Describe at least one misconception you had about the process of natural selection and how this video clarified your misconception using two or more details from the video and your own personal experience.
- Evaluate each article, "How dinosaurs evolved into birds" and, "The Birds Are Not Dinosaurs Movement" and decide for yourself. Clearly explain whether or not dinosaurs really evolved into birds using 2 or more specific details from these articles to support your answer.
3. Watch this video about some common misconceptions about the process of natural selection and evaluate which misconceptions about natural selection you had. Describe at least one misconception you had about the process of natural selection and how this video clarified your misconception using two or more details from the video and your own personal experience.
(Level 5) Creation
- Create your own slideshow summarizing what scientists theorize about the evolution of the whale, horse, or elephant over millions of years (choose one). At the end of your presentation, explain your own thoughts about these theories. Do you agree or disagree? Explain why using evidence from the content knowledge resources or research of your own.
- The year is 1,002,020 and due to man, as well as plate tectonics and other natural events the Earth has become dramatically different….only the organisms, if there are any….that are best adapted to their environment will survive future Earth… But, wait! There's a twist find out what and complete this assignment using this assignment TEMPLATE.
Additional Explorations
- The theory of evolution is used by scientists to explain the genetic variations seen among different species. The theory of evolution is used to explain the gradual change in a species over time. Who was the originator of the biological theory of evolution? What evidence did he present to support his theory? What evidence has been discovered since?
- How do each of the fossils form and find an image of a real-world example. What do each of these fossils tell you about Earth's past organisms and environments?
- How does a mold fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
- How does a cast fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
- How does a petrified/permineralized fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
- How does a preserved fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
- How does a carbonized fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
- How does a trace fossil form? What are some real-world examples?
Future Learning Connections (9-12)
- Construct explanations of how changes to Earth's surface are changes in the complexity and diversity of life using evidence from the geologic time scale.
English Language Learners
Module Review Resources
Vocabulary Practice
Please provide any feedback you would like about this module below. This could include anything from typos, broken links, how the content was presented during the topics, your engagement in the content or your opinion about the assignment activities. Anything you wish to share that would help improve this module would be greatly appreciated.