Download Learning Activity 1: Introduction to Natural

This document contains eight learning activities relating to the development of evolutionary
theory. Information about the purpose, curriculum links, and resources are provided about each activity.
Additionally the original source is listed. Some resources are provided in separate documents which are
attached on the “changeovertime1” wikispace page.
Learning Activity 1: Introduction to Natural Selection
Purpose:
 Get students familiar with the theory of natural selection through practical means
 Draw a relationship between natural selection and evolution
Key knowledge:
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
 development of the evolutionary theory
Resources:
 Plastic animals of four different colours, two colours that will blend in to nature settings (eg.
brown and green) and two colours that will stand out in natural settings (eg. red and yellow)
 Prizes (if you wish)
Instructions:
Hide a set of plastic animals (eg beetles) of four different colours outside in grassy areas or in a
garden area. You will need a couple of colors that will blend in with the environment (green and brown)
and a couple that stand out in the environment (red and yellow).
Inform the students that they are predators of all the beetles you have been hidden and they
have 1 minute to find as many beetles as they can (you could give out a prize for each beetle if you
wish).
After a minute has passed call all the students back and ask them to show how many different
colors were collected. There should be more red and yellow beetles collected then green and brown.
Follow this up with a discussion about natural selection, questions you might like to include are:
 Which beetles were more likely to survive from you, the predators? Why?
 What might happen with the beetle populations over time? And why might this occur?
 What is the name for this process?
 Who proposed this idea?
Reference:
Flinders College, Tyabb (2009)
Learning Activity 2: Evaluate the theory of Natural Selection
Purpose:
 Encourage higher order thinking around the concept of natural selection
 Foster ability to analyze theory and make their own independent decisions about theories
 Promote the use of evidence in backing up opinions
 Allow students to demonstrate their knowledge through written means
Key knowledge:
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
 development of the evolutionary theory
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
Resources:
 Rubric attached to wikispace
Instructions/Essay Question:
Explain the theory of natural selection and evaluate it making reference positive and negative aspects of
the theory and whether the theory is useful in explaining evolution.
Reference:
Kinnear & Martin (2000)
Learning Activity 3: Create A Video or PowerPoint Presentation
Purpose:
 Extend knowledge about the development of evolutionary theory
 Allow students to display their knowledge through creative means
 Allow students to work in groups to foster interpersonal learning
Key knowledge:
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution
 the development of evolutionary theory
Resources:
 Cameras and recording equipment
 Various props (students may want to bring these from home)
 Rubric attached to wikispace
Instructions:
Students work in groups for this task. Instructions for the students are given below:
Create a historical video explaining the origins of evolutionary theory. Must be presented in
chronological order and include:
 Key researchers (Charles Darwin, Alfred Wallace, Jean Baptiste Lamarck)
 What contributions did these people make and explanation of their ideas
 Neo-Darwinism
Reference:
Flinders College, Tyabb (2009)
Learning Activity 4: Create A Poster Timeline
Purpose:
 Extend knowledge about the development of evolutionary theory
 Allow students to work independently to foster autonomous learning
Key knowledge:
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution
 the development of evolutionary theory
Resources:
 A3 sheets of paper
 Text books for students to refer to
 Pencils, pens, textures, rulers
Instructions:
You may want the students to complete this in class or complete it as a homework task. Student
instructions are provided below:
Create a timeline that lists critical events (and their dates) that lead to our current understanding of how
species change.
Reference:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson044.shtml
Learning Activity 5: Revision Game: Heads or Tails
Purpose:
 Give students a fun way to help them revise
 Get students actively involved
Key knowledge:
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
 development of the evolutionary theory
Resources:
 Access to PowerPoint
 Access to Projector
 Prizes for winners
Instructions:
Ask all students to stand up. The teacher asks a two option multiple choice question (the
questions and options must be displayed on a PowerPoint for all students to see). Students must put
their hands on their heads to represent the answer known as heads, and hands on their hips to
represent the answer known as tails. If a student gets an answer incorrect they must sit down. The
winner (or winners) will be left standing. You may award these students with prizes if you wish.
PowerPoint Example is attached to wiki page
Reference:
Original – Laura Fettes
Learning Activity 6: Crossword
Purpose:
 Reconsolidate learning
 Allow students to work independently
Key knowledge:
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
 development of the evolutionary theory
Resources:
 Crossword sheet attached to wikispace
Reference:
http://www.teachingandlearningresources.co.uk/resourcescrosswords.shtml
Learning Activity 7: Short Answer Questions
Purpose:
 Reconsolidate learning
 Allow students to work independently
 Give students opportunity to ask questions
Key knowledge
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
 development of the evolutionary theory
Resources:
 Questions attached to wikispace
Reference:
Kinnear & Martin (2000)
Learning Activity 8: Create an Animal
Purpose:
 Apply information to a new situation
 Allow students to demonstrate their learning in a creative situation
Key knowledge
 change in populations: gene pool, allele frequencies; selection pressures; genetic drift;
 natural selection as a mechanism of evolution;
Resources:
 Questions attached to wikispace
Instructions for students:
Create your own original animal that has suitable traits for a habitat of your choice. Draw this animal
and explain how the features you have given it, enable this animal to survive in this area.
Now imagine that the number of predators has increased and availability if food for your creature is low.
Suggest how your animal might evolve. Draw a picture and explain what the changes are and why the
may occur.
Reference:
Flinders College, Tyabb (2009)