Download Panda`s Thumb Activity Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan for Evolutionary Essentials
By: Kevin Gusé
School: Calabasas High School
Grade Level: 9-10 (Honors level)
Subject: Honor’s Biology
* Estimated total time for lesson _1-2 class periods_
Date: July 13, 2005
Content Standards/Frameworks/District Curriculum Standards:
8. Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. As a
basis for understanding this concept:
8a.
8b.
Students know how natural selection determines the differential
survival of groups of organisms.
Students know a great diversity of species increases the chance that
at least some organisms survive major changes in the environment.
Specific Lesson Objectives(s):
The goal of this exercise is to point out that the concepts of natural selection and environmental
adaptation by a species applies to humans along with other organisms. Oftentimes, I can get across the
concepts using examples from predator/prey relationships but when it comes to humans, students often
lack the ability to see how we are subject to change. This activity points out the necessity for the
opposable thumb, which is so often taken for granted.
Key Vocabulary and Necessary Background Knowledge about Content
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Vocabulary:
Gross motor skills
Fine motor skills
Primate
Concepts:
Adaptation
Natural Selection
Activities (listed in sequential order)
* Anticipatory Set/Motivational Strategy
Using the capture of marshmallows, I will illustrate how easily a predator can capture individual prey while
struggling to capture prey items that are clumped or herded together (selfish herd hypothesis). This represents a
behavioral adaptation that allows for herding bovines to collectively avoid predation. The illustration of a
behavioral adaptation will introduce a non-physiological adaptation that will get the students thinking about how
other types of adaptations, besides the typical ones, can be used for improved fitness/survival.
* Teacher Directed Instruction
PowerPoint presentation & Procedural/Setup and Equipment Use Instruction
* Guided Practice (Students practice performance of a strategy or skill under guidance of the teacher):
Thumb Lab Worksheet
* Independent Practice (Plans are made for students to practice the learned strategy or skill on their own.)
Questions associated and attached to the Thumb Lab Worksheet
* Closure:
Discussion of results using Excel display of student data & Potential answers to the question posed during the
Independent Practice
Instructional Materials/Resources/Technologies
 Computer with Microsoft Office Products (PowerPoint, Excel)
 LCD projector
 Lab materials (indicated on the Thumb Lab Worksheet)
Instructional strategies
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Active demonstration as a warm-up/motivational “hook” into the content
Technology use
Interactive student group
Inquiry Activity
Kinesthetic Learning
Display and use of student data
Extension possibly to more info about the Panda’s thumb
Grouping of students ( e.g. small group, whole class, pairs, and/or individuals)
*As indicated on the Thumb Lab Worksheet
Modifications for students with special physical, and/or language needs
Accommodations for different levels of learners and various approaches to learning by
different students.
Student groups that include peer support individuals that are assigned to assist with students with special
needs.
Assessment:
(Pre-assessment, checking for understanding, formative and/or summative assessment - evidence of
mastery of objectives)
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Oral/Group assessment during the Closure discussion
Individual written assessment of the Thumb Lab Worksheet