Science - Biology
Lesson Plans
Standard 5
Students will understand that biological diversity is a result of evolutionary processes.
Objective 1
Relate principles of evolution to biological diversity.
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Breeding Bunnies
In this activity, students will examine natural selection in a small population of wild rabbits.
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Ecosystem Survey Using Classification and Plant ID
Scientists use many tools to evaluate the health of a habitat. One way to classify and determine the health of a habitat is to identify the organisms that live there and compare those to other habitats. To do this biologists use identification keys. In this exercise students will use identification keys to identify plants in various habitats and determine adaptations for success / evolution of different species.
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Peppered Moths
Students get to be blue jays and hunt moths on different backgrounds (tree trunks) in this engaging simulation of the change in populations of the peppered moth over time during the industrialization of England.
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Survival of the Flattest
In this activity students will model natural selection. They will do this by acting as a predator and collecting "dots" in different environments. They will see how different characteristics allow some organisms to survive and reproduce in different environments.
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Teddy Grahams and Natural Selection
Students will model natural selection and how that has an impact on population size.
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The Evolution of Canis pedatus
Students will evaluate an isolated population and infer the effects of natural selection and reproductive isolation. They will identify environmental forces that drive evolution and will also investigate the definition of a species.
http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education
(USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education
(USHE). Send questions or comments to USBE
Specialist -
Richard
Scott
and see the Science - Secondary website. For
general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director
-
Jennifer
Throndsen.
These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the
State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced
for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials,
credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These
materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other
format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of
Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah
84114-4200.