Standards:
SC.912.L.15.1 Explain how the scientific theory of evolution is supported by the fossil record, comparative anatomy, comparative embryology, biogeography, molecular biology, and observed evolutionary change.
SC.912.N.1.6 Describe how scientific inferences are drawn from scientific observations and provide examples from the content being studied.
SC.912.N.3.1 Explain that a scientific theory is the culmination of many scientific investigations drawing together all the current evidence concerning a substantial range of phenomena; thus, a scientific theory represents the most powerful explanation scientists have to offer.
SC.912.N.3.4 Recognize that theories do not become laws, nor do laws become theories; theories are well supported explanations and laws are well supported descriptions.
SC.912.N.2.1 Identify what is science, what clearly is not science, and what superficially resembles science (but fails to meet the criteria for science).
SC.912.N.1.3 Recognize that the strength or usefulness of a scientific claim is evaluated through scientific argumentation, which depends on critical and logical thinking, and the active consideration of alternative scientific explanations to explain the data presented.
SC.912.L.15.10 Identify basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors six million years ago to modern humans, including brain size, jaw size, language, and manufacture of tools.
SC.912.N.1.4 Identify sources of information and assess their reliability according to the strict standards of scientific investigation.
Objectives:
1. Students can explain how the fossil record provides evidence for the history of life on Earth, how adaptations are related to fitness for an environment, and how evidence from Darwin's observations support the theory of evolution.
2. Students can demonstrate mastery knowledge of observations, inferences, hypotheses, theories, and laws in forming a model and explanation of how natural selection changes a population over time and increases a species' fitness in its environment.
3. Student can compare the physical characteristics and DNA of three primates (humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas) and explain the basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors including: brain size, jaw size, language, and tool making.
Daily Essential Questions:
How does the evidence used to support evolution help us connect past life forms to those living today?
Agenda
Engage: Skimming/Scanning Section 15-1 (Day 1), Section 15-2 (Day 2), & Section 15-3 (Day 3)
Explore: "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" Video
Explain: Teacher-led Discussion on "The Work of Charles Darwin"
Extend: Change Over Time Activity
Evaluate: Common Assessment 4.2.b (Covers Chapter 15)
Homework: "How Well Do I Know These Words?" (paleontologist, observation, inference, theory, adaptation, natural selection, evolution, population, species, comparative anatomy, embryology, homologous structure, vestigial organ, fossil record, biogeography, geologic time, hominid)
