Evolution+Unit+Plan

=Evolution Resource File=

prepared by Lucille Caskey
I have put the following resources together while building my unit plan about evolution that would be introduced in the third semester of 10th grade biology. While my unit plan does necessarily extend into natural selection, that will be the next logical subtopic so many of my resources are related to natural selection. I have also included a few resources on the intelligent design debate as students will question the theory of evolution and question if evolution conflicts with their spiritual philosophies. I have included Lexile levels when applicable. According to the information I obtained from my internship, lexile levels for 9th-10th graders would range from 1050-1335L. The texts that are on the upper end of or slightly above this range would be supported through in class reading or would be provided for students proficient in reading at the level.

Text Files Web Based Video/Other
 * 1) Article located on the ENSI website; Provides a thorough description of cladograms. Would provide this to students needing further understanding or as an extension. Written by a professor from University of Michigan. Lexile level 1340 []
 * 2) Article Excerpted from “The Panda’s Thumb” out of The Panda’s Thumb: More Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould, W.W Norton & Company, New York, 1980. Article will be used in evolution lesson on adaptations. Lexile Level 1040. []
 * 3) Article about Macroevolution – reviews concepts essential to understanding evolution; good summary of how phylogeny and molecular sequences are related. Presented at the National Association for Biology Teachers conference in 2006 by K. Jenkins. Lexile level 1420 []
 * 4) Article that provides arguments from ID proponents and rebuttals from evolutionary theory proponents. This article would be useful for students that are questioning the validity of evolution. Lexile level 1120. []
 * 5) Online text of On the Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin. Would provide selected sections for students to read and paraphrase their understanding. Would be most appropriate for advanced readers. Lexile level 1410. []
 * 1) PBS site that provides games, videos, lessons about various scientific topics including evolution. Provides wide range of age-appropriate activities; Free but required login; Resources are from a variety of agencies and individuals []
 * 2) Evolution 101 – web based “course” discussing basics of evolution; easy to read with graphics illustrating concepts; Lexile level 1190. []
 * 3) UC Berkeley web site showing phylogeny and description of species; easily navigated with significant amount of species information; provides detailed understanding of how phylogeny describes evolution of species; Provides links to other resources. Lexile level 1440. []
 * 4) Website hosted by Bioscience that provides overview of evolution. Provides articles that have linked lesson plans and resources for students conducting research. Lexile Level 1270. []
 * 5) Website hosted by NSDL that provides links to numerous websites with a variety of activities; this site also host the data literacy maps that supports the Next Generation Science Standards. []
 * 1) Video showing biodiversity in habitats, species, and ecosystems - []
 * 2) Video documentary on evolution vs. intelligent design controversy that resulted in significant court case []
 * 3) Series of short videos produced by HHMI (Howard Hughes Medical Institute) about evolution. Very good description of how natural selection works []
 * 4) Website from Scientific American – a graphic novella on the story of evolution. An alternative reading option for students who enjoy graphic novels. []
 * 5) Website that has interactive games and tutorials. Good for students to see how hard it is for species to survive in a changing environment. Ask students what it would be like if natural selection was not operating? What would our world look like? Would it be more diverse or less? []