Download File - Middle School Science Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan Template
Name of Lesson/Unit: Darwin’s Theory of Evolution: Natural Selection
Grade Level: 9th Grade
Prepared by:
Section 1: Lesson Summary
Evolution is a key scientific topic that explains how life on earth changed over time. The lesson
also involves strategies used in classroom collaborative structures using the 5e model lesson
planning.
Topic: Natural Selection
NGSS Performance Expectation:
HS-LS4-2. Construct an explanation based on evidence that the process of evolution
primarily results from four factors: (1) the potential for a species to increase in number, (2)
the heritable genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation and sexual
reproduction, (3) competition for limited resources, and (4) the proliferation of those
organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment. [Clarification
Statement: Emphasis is on using evidence to explain the influence each of the four factors
has on number of organisms, behaviors, morphology, or physiology in terms of ability to
compete for limited resources and subsequent survival of individuals and adaptation of
species. Examples of evidence could include mathematical models such as simple distribution
graphs and proportional reasoning.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include
other mechanisms of evolution, such as genetic drift, gene flow through migration, and coevolution.]
Crosscutting Concept:
Cause and Effect
Empirical evidence is required to differentiate between cause and correlation and make
claims about specific causes and effects.
Engineering Practices:
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 9–12 builds on K–8 experiences and
progresses to explanations and designs that are supported by multiple and independent
student-generated sources of evidence consistent with scientific ideas, principles, and
theories.
sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review)
and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as
they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future. (HS-LS4-2),(HS-LS4-4)
Lesson Plan Template
Disciplinary Core Ideas
LS4.B: Natural Selection
between organisms in a population and (2) variation in the expression of that genetic
information—that is, trait variation—that leads to differences in performance among
individuals. (HS-LS4-2),(HS-LS4-3)
LS4.C: Adaptation
Evolution is a consequence of the interaction of four factors: (1) the potential for a species
to increase in number, (2) the genetic variation of individuals in a species due to mutation
and sexual reproduction, (3) competition for an environment’s limited supply of the
resources that individuals need in order to survive and reproduce, and (4) the ensuing
proliferation of those organisms that are better able to survive and reproduce in that
environment. (HS-LS4-2)
Common Core State Standards (Reading):
RST .11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical
texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or inconsistencies
in the account. (HS-LS4-1), (HS-LS4-2),(HS-LS4-3), (HS-LS4-4)
Common Core State Standards (Writing):
WHST .9-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical
events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes. (HS-LS4-1), (HS-LS42),(HS-LS4-3), (HS-LS4-4)
Current CA Science Standards:
Standards:
Bl 7d. Students know variation within a species increases the likelihood that at least
some members of a species will survive under changed environmental conditions.
Bl 8b. Students know a great diversity of species increases the chance that at least
some organisms survive major changes in the environment.
Objective of the Lesson or Unit:
At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. describe and explain how natural selection is related to species’ fitness
Lesson Plan Template
How is this objective relevant to students?
This objective will help students know the significance of adaptations in organisms that are
the result of natural selection that eventually lead to a species’ survival.
Culminating Assessment (How will you know students have met the
Performance Expectation?) Describe the assessment and attach a
copy.
What has been taught in my class to prepare students for this topic?
In preparation of the lesson, two laboratory activities were conducted in the laboratory with
the students working in collaborative groups.
[a] “Do lima beans show variation?” [b] “Bird Beak Adaptation”
Also, there was a whole class discussion and collaborative grouping activities about Darwin’s
travel on the Beagle and about the various scientists’ influence on Darwin’s thinking.
Description of the Lesson/Unit (Use the following Table)
With 5-E and
Short Description of
Purpose/Intention for the
How People
Activity
Activity or Key Learning
Learn in Mind!
 How does this
activity build student
knowledge and skills
towards meeting the
Performance
Expectation?
 Identify at least 1
Practice
Warm up: KWL Chart
Engage
Vocabulary Word : FITNESS
Teacher will ask students to
individually write down 2 facts
on K column and 2 questions on
the W column about the word
FITNESS
Teacher will assign groups and
letter designations for each
member in the group and will
give the following instructions
Lesson Plan Template
to students.
Student A reads K facts to B
Student B listens and asks
clarifying questions
Student C reads facts to
student D
Student D listens and asks
clarifying questions and
Student D reads K facts to A
and ask clarifying questions
Teacher will ask students to
repeat the previous process
for the W questions.
Explore
Explain
Activity: Bird Beak
Adaptation Lab
Teacher will assign pages 380382 of the Biology textbook
for the students to read.
Teacher will chunk the reading
sections among members of
each student group.
Teacher will ask students to
read silently and take notes by
writing an explanation and an
example for their assigned
section in the matrix provided.
After reading the text,
students will be asked to
complete their own section in
the matrix provided.
Lesson Plan Template
Student A reads “The
Struggle for Existence” (p
380)
Student B reads “Adaptation”
(p 380)
Student C reads “Survival of
the Fittest: Natural
Selection” ( p 381)
Student D reads “Descent with
Modification” (p 381-382)
Elaborate
After the reading activity,
teacher will ask students to
close their books .Then each
student in the group will be
asked to take turns to read
out loud their answers to the
group.
Student A will read the
answers to students B, C, and
D. As these students listen,
they also write down the
answers in the appropriate
column in the matrix.
Each person will have his turn
to speak and share his or her
answer.
At the end of the sharing, all
of the members of the group
should have completed the
matrix.
Lesson Plan Template
Teacher will walk around the
room as the students are
working and will ask students
to check for understanding
Teacher will randomly ask
students to share their
answers to the class
Evaluation
Teacher will ask students to
complete the [a] Reflection
Summary and [b] L column of
the KWL chart.
The members of the group can
help each other with the
section.
Teachers will randomly ask
students to share their
answers to the class
Section 2: Laboratory/Hands-on Lesson on “Bird Beak Adaptations”
Content Objective:
1. Investigate the advantages and disadvantages of variations, by simulating birds with
different types of beaks competing for various foods.
2. describe and explain how adaptations increase an organism’s chance of survival in a
particular environment.
Language Objective:
1. Students will describe their findings and observations in writing and out loud with the
class.
2. Students will be completing the activity worksheet for the lab activity.
3. Students will write a short reflection on the lab activity at the end of the class period.
Assessment: How will I know students met the objective?
Although the lab is for groups, students will be completing the lab worksheet individually. Each
Lesson Plan Template
students will be answering the questions that follow the activity.
Rubric: Please see attached grading scale for the lab activity.
Description of lesson:
Time required for the lesson:
Materials/ Preparation needed:
Description of
Student Task
(each step)
Time
Needed
for
Students
to
complete
each
Task
Teacher Notes
(Include
strategies/questions to
check for understanding)
Accommodation/Modification for
Student Access and Extension (i.e.
strategies for EL and extensions
for GATE)
Section 3: Science Literacy
Content Objective:
Language Objective:
Assessment: How will I know students met the objective?
Lesson Plan Template
Rubric:
Description of lesson:
Time required for the lesson:
Materials/ Preparation needed:
Description of
Student Task
(each step)
Time
Needed
for
Students
to
complete
each
Task
Teacher Notes
(Include
strategies/questions to
check for
understanding)
Accommodation/Modification for
Student Access and Extension (i.e.
strategies for EL and extensions
for GATE)
Section 4: Student Pages
Please provide a printer/copier friendly student pages for Section 2 and Section 3.