How We and All Living Things Came to Be!

–​This exciting Evolution unit integrates Biology, Ecology and Earth Science concepts.

What is Evolution?

  • Well, evolution is nothing less than the amazing story of life on Earth– an epic tale that has taken billions of years to unfold

  • New kinds of life develop from older forms of life through a process called evolution

  • The force behind the teeming diversity of life on Earth, evolution is the most important idea in all of biology (the study of life)

  • About 150 years ago, a British Scientist, named Charles Darwin revealed the solution to the mystery of evolution ​

Getting Started:
 
We learn about the layers of the Earth including a worksheet package, “A model of Earth” (pages 134, 133, 132), an introduction to Science Safety, Convection Current Lab and Piecing Together Pangaea Assignment (bonus)…Plates move, so what?  Due Dates to follow.
 
As well, we will have fun with an Introduction to Evolution People Hunt and complete an Evolution Concept map as a scavenger hunt around the classroom.
A very basic framework for the Evolution Concept Map ​can be found in the Science Assignments tab.  This will be part of our final assessment for the unit and students are expected to create a large size concept map (11 X 17). You will need to incorporate at least 1 Greatest Discovery (see picture below) on your concept map. Creativity and orginal thought expected. Work on this project will be ongoing.

Bonus:  Research the Burgess Shale.  Draw some of the unique fossils that are found in the Burgess Shale.  Tell me a bit about them.  Why do you think the Yoho Valley has been declared a World Heritage Site?

The Burgess Shale Geoscience Foundation

​​Image Credit: Miller, D. W. Cambrian Period – Burgess Shale. Painting courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.​​

Life Has a History WebQuest! (Bonus):

Life Has a History! is an introduction to a variety of topics important for understanding the history of life and the biodiversity we see today.  Assignment is attached below.  Students will have a copy in their binder.  Use the following website to answer the questions:  Life Has a History.  Go to Level 2.

EarthHist

Geological Time Scale

Videos:

Bill Nye The Science Guy Season 1 Episode 2 Earths Crust

Nature Is Speaking – Julia Roberts is Mother Nature | Conservation International

Layers of the Earth

Plates moving due to convection in mantle | Cosmology & Astronomy | Khan Academy

Why? Tell Me Why! Pangea

Everything You Need to Know About Planet Earth

We will end our evolutionary biology unit with cells and DNA!  First, we’ll complete a DNA note as a scavenger hunt around the classroom and then have our DNA and eat it too where students will learn about gene mutations by creating candy DNA.  Some students will enjoy a bonus hands-on lab where they extract DNA from a strawberry!
 
Color a Plant Cell and Identify Functions Color a Typical Plant Cell
*biologycorner.com