shansci - Evidence of Evolution

State Standards:

Evolution and Biodiversity
Standard #11: Recognize that evidence drawn from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provides the basis of the theory of evolution
Standard #18:Recognize that biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations.
Standard #12:Relate the extinction of species to a mismatch of adaptation and the environment.

Major Learning Targets:

I can explain the methods that scientists use to prove evolution
- Fossils
- Similarities in Early Development
- Similarities in Body Structure
DNA Evidence
I can explain how relationships between species are studied by DNA similarities and combining evidence
I can interpret a Branching Trees diagram to explain when species branched off from common ancestors
I can explain how fossils are formed and how they are used in interpreting changes in life over time

Important Concepts:

Scientists piece together evidence from a wide range of sources to support evolution
There are still many unanswered questions the history of life on earth
Fossils provide a glimpse into the past we would not have otherwise
Some species have changed very little over millions or billions of years

Important Skills:

Be able to interpret a branching tree diagram

Assessments and Projects in Addition to Weekly Test:

Reading and questions on the fossil record
__http://darwin200.christs.cam.ac.uk/pages/index.php?page_id=f7__

History of life on earth. Research and Presentation. Present an era and key facts about the period
__http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/history_of_the_earth__

__http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/brief-history-life.html__

Resources:
Prentice hall Life Science
Chapter 6
Sec 2 Evidence of Evolution pg 182-187

Embryo Comparison
__http://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/embryo/embryo.html__