SEEd - Grade 7
Lesson Plans

Strand 7.5: CHANGES IN SPECIES OVER TIME

Genetic variation and the proportion of traits within a population can change over time. These changes can result in evolution through natural selection. Additional evidence of change over time can be found in the fossil record, anatomical similarities and differences between modern and ancient organisms, and embryological development.

Standard 7.5.2

Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth, under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past. (LS4.A, ESS2.E)

• Triceratops Traits
  Paleontologists, including a leading expert in horned dinosaurs, lead students through this phenomenon-based investiigation to understand the evolutionary pathway that lead to Triceratops. Students will study use the fossil record and use a suite of interactives to evaluate shared traits, phylogenetic trees, and deep time maps to build an evidence base to help them answer their research question. Along the way, they'll earn a virtual field tool kit and a NHMU Junior Paleontologist certificate.
  NHMU Research Quests are phenomena-based, online investigations asynchronously led by museum educators and scientists that are rooted in museum research and collections. Resources include teacher instructional guides, formative and summative assessments, and student notebooks. A free educator acount is required to access the materials.
• What happened at Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry?
  Students will examine an interactive quarry map of Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, use scientific field notes (primary source material), and consider modern analogs to figure out what happened at this mass death site millions of years ago.
  NHMU Research Quests are phenomena-based, online investigations asynchronously led by museum educators and scientists that are rooted in museum research and collections. Resources include teacher instructional guides, formative and summative assessments, and student notebooks. A free educator acount is required to access the materials.

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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 - Milo  Maughan 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.