Video :  Evidence of Evolution   

Who is related to who? This video explains  the Origin of Species that Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace published together which lays down evidence of evolution. What roles did  biogeography, fossil,  and homology play in the study of evolution?  Was  DNA and its mutations one of the compelling evidences of evolution that Darwin discovered? This video provides clear and simple answers to all of these questions. 

Students will watch this video, and use it in a carousel brainstorming activity wherein groups of students will take turns in writing what they have learned about specific ideas from the video on chart papers.  Each group will be given opportunity to write on all of the chart paper by rotating after a given time which is ideally 2 minutes. The headings for this activity will be biogeography, fossil, homology, and DNA. After the carousel brainstorming activity, the students will post the chart papers on the wall, and discuss what they wrote. 

Bozemanbiology. (2012, March 31). Evidence of Evolution. Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC8k2Sb1oQ8

Website: Charles Darwin's Timeline

Getting to know Charles Darwin is important in understanding his thinking or research. This website has Darwin's timeline, from his childhood, college years, voyage, married life, early research, after Origin of Species, to his old age. The great amount of topics about Charles Darwin also makes this website great. It has comprehensive information about the Beagle voyage, with maps and timeline; photographs of important places in Darwin's life; a collection of news about Darwin; people who influenced Darwin; and books and articles about Darwin.

The students will use this website in writing Charles Darwin's biography. 

About Darwin.com. (2011, September 4). Darwin's Timeline. Retrieved from http://www.aboutdarwin.com/timeline/time_01.html

Trade Book: Every Bone Tells a Story: Hominin Discoveries, Deductions, and Debates

Based on the review by high school biology teacher Richard Lord, posted 5/11/2010 on NSTA website, this book would be appropriate for high school and advanced middle school classes. Several branches of science are introduced, and the scientific process is well-illustrated with numerous examples of how scientists work, interpret evidence, make deductions, debate interpretations, and refine points of view. Many different technologies, from microscopic pollen analysis to DNA analysis, are explained as some of the ways used to unlock the secrets of the human past. The book also includes numerous illustrations, many in color, as well as suggestions for further reading, a timeline, a glossary, a bibliography, and identifications of all of the scientists mentioned in the stories of the hominin. 

The students will use this trade book in writing an argument piece through the point of view of different scientists. After writing the argument piece, they can extend the activity by conducting a debate to deliberate their opposing views. 

Rubalcaba J., Robertshaw P. (2010, February 1). Every Bone Tells a Story: Hominin Discoveries, Deductions, and Debates. Charlesbridge Publishing 

Article: Mammals' ancestor were not as puny as we thought

This recently published article which was referenced from an Oxford Journal, unfolds an interesting fact about the ancestors of mammals. It is a short but revealing article that the students will enjoy reading. 

As an activity for this article, the students will write comments about it, and discuss their comments in groups. 

Since the conclusion of the article provides for an idea to wonder about, ( But Galtier points out that the fossil record is incomplete. A large mammal ancestor that ultimately gave rise to all modern mammal groups, including the rodents, might simply have failed to fossilize),

students can also use the internet to search for answers and write their own article about it. 

Marshall M. (2012, October 7). Mammals' ancestor were not as puny as we thought. Retrieved from ww.newscientist.com/article/dn22343-mammals-ancestor-was-not-as-puny-as-we-thought.html