SCIENCE FRIDAY EVOLUTION CURRICULUM BENCHMARKS
by Science Friday Kids Connection. November 2007
INTRODUCTION: Standard 7 --- Understands biological evolution and the diversity of life
TOPIC --- Natural selection and biological evolution — Level III [Grade 6-8]
CONCEPT 1--- Knows that reproduction is a characteristic of all living things and is essential to the continuation of a species, including the human species.
EVOLUTION BENCHMARK #1 --- Knows basic ideas related to biological evolution (e.g., diversity of species is developed through gradual processes over many generations; biological adaptations, such as changes in structure, behavior, or physiology, allow some species to enhance their reproductive success and survival in a particular environment)
Also knows that reproduction is a characteristic of all living things and is essential to the continuation of a species
BENCHMARK #4 --- Knows that hereditary information is contained in genes (located in the chromosomes of each cell), each of which carries a single unit of information; an inherited trait of an individual can be determined by either one or many genes, and a single gene can...
Middle School [Grade 6-8] Standards --- Standard Number 4:
Understands the principles of heredity and related concepts
Suggested Curriculum Activities:
Stalking the Mysterious Microbe --- Totally tiny! (from the American Society for Microbiology)
This program is an excellent, kid-friendly resource for information and activities about microbes. Microbe Mysteries uses illustrations, diagrams, and text to highlight a variety of concepts from what a microbe is, to the difference between bacteria and viruses, to how bacteria have impacted evolution. The News section lists timely articles about microbes. The Experiment! section has a few well-presented activities. Now You See It, Now You Don't illustrates biodegradation, and Caught Dirty Handed is a great group activity that underscores the importance of hand washing. There's even a Careers section with interviews, advice, and information on how to find a mentor.
See for yourself --- Cells Alive!
This progam has an interesting visual library of microscopic organisms—including video microscopy of bacteria. Students will be able to see a variety of different types of bacteria as well as how they move and divide. Take a trip to the Microbe Zoo and discover the many worlds of unseen microbes. In the Animal Pavilion, students can explore the varieties of bacteria that live in and on humans, cows, and inside termites. Other major attractions of the zoo include Dirt Land, the Snack Bar, and Water World.
Bacterial Terrarium --- Home Grown! (from Science Wire)
This program is an excellent hands-on experiment that allows students to create colonies of multicolored microbes by using water, mud, paper, and an egg. Explanations and related story links connect bacteria to the headlines and make sound correlations between the experiment, biodiversity, and life on Earth. Petri-fied of Bacteria, from The New York Times Learning Network, has students swabbing a variety of objects in their environment, growing bacterial cultures in petri dishes, and examining both the positive and negative roles bacteria can play.
Discovery School Bacteria --- Bad bugs, good bugs! (from DiscoverySchool.com's Curriculum Center)
This program has a number of activities, project ideas, and games aimed at piquing interest and enriching a student's understanding of Bacteria. Beneficial bacteria and the effect they have on environments are explored in Sour Power. Students test out the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps and disinfectants in Antibacterial Action. Project Ideas explore such topics as the bubonic plague, the microbial math of bacterial reproduction, beneficial bacteria, favorite foods created with bacteria, as well as food poisoning.
The X-germs Lifestyles of the Extreme and Adapted (from the New York Times Learning Network)
This rich lesson based progam explores bacterial growth in extreme environments and microbial distribution and evolution. There are outstanding suggestions for follow-up as well as interesting extension activities and cross-curriculum connections. In Survival of the Fittest Microbes, students explore microbes that survive in extreme conditions and apply their scientific findings as they create their own reality show in which the microbes are contestants!
BENCHMARK #5 — Knows that the characteristics of an organism can be described in terms of a combination of traits; some traits are inherited through the coding of genetic material and others result from environmental factors
Suggested Curriculum Activities:
What's the difference? Want to know the real differences between boy brains and girl brains?
She Brains He Brains and Female Brains Have More Folds from Neuroscience for Kids have good information on size and anatomy as well as the convoluted cortex. Take some tests at His Brain Her Brain involving such things as perceptual speed, object displacement, mathematical calculation and spatial perception to see for yourself how the male and female brain can differ.
I can't help it, I was born that way. Shades of Gray, a lesson plan from the New York Times Network, asks students to examine their own strengths and weaknesses and then to consider what role gender may play. After exploring whether or not gender may have anything to do with aptitude, they gather information and write a paper that delves into gender equity in their own lives and schools. Interesting extension activities include examining bell curves and making a timeline showing how we've tried to measure intelligence through history.
Testing one, two, three. Wondering about gender bias and the tests given at your school? Check out what The National Center for Fair and Open Testing has to say about them. And if you want to brush up on how to combat gender bias in the classroom, see PBS Teacher Source = # Science Friday Program: The Evolution of Dogs
February 13, 2004
Suggested Curriculum Activities:
Pooches on parade. How did all these breeds of dogs come from one wolf-like ancestor anyway? In Geographical Dog Show from National Geographic Xpeditions, students investigate and create theories about why people in different areas of the globe bred dogs for different traits and different tasks. Focusing on breeds of their choice, students organize a class-wide dog show and present their findings.
Hot dog! For a good overview of dog evolution, adaptability, breeding, and communication, visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County site Dogs: Wolf, Myth, Hero, and Friend. You'll find links to activities, excellent explanations, informative illustrations, and other links to sites with more information on everything about dogs, from their care and feeding to behavior and genetics.
Hollywood dogs. Leading students through an analysis of dog traits found in common dog celebrities on TV today, Dogs from Discoveryschool.com has students compare and contrast real traits and projected traits and asks them to create presentations showing the differences and similarities between "Hollywood" traits and real breed traits. They are then asked to critique each portrayal.
A helping hound. What kinds of tasks are dogs suited to perform, and how can they best help their human companions? In Working Like a Dog from the New York Times Lesson Plan Archive, students are asked to research traits that make dogs right for different jobs and then create a "help-wanted" ad to highlight various qualities for certain jobs.
In the genes. Want to get some genomic research into your classroom? The GEEE! in Genome, from Nature Canada ,has a great variety of content, from a microscopic view of the basics of cells to a clear explanation of the genetic code. You'll also find downloadable crossword puzzles, activities, and experiments.
# Science Friday Program: Bacteria -- Mighty Microbes
December 12, 2003
SCIENCE VOCABULARY TERMS ABOUT EVOLUTION:
A. Biological evolution
B. Species diversity
C. Biological adaptation
D. Structural change in organisms
E. Behavioral change in organisms
F. Physiological change in organisms
G. Fitness
KNOWLEDGE/SKILL STATEMENTS:
1. Knows that biological adaptations in physiology allow species to enhance survival
2. Knows that the diversity of species develops through gradual processes over generations
3. Knows that biological adaptations in structure allow species to enhance survival
4. Knows that biological adaptations in behavior allow species to enhance survival
SUGGESTED CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES:
A = Assessment items available
Citation Log: BD(2I,124;B2E,80-82;CE,132-133;IBE,48-49;N2I,92;NSE,55;SE,158) --- Citation Reference:
BD = benchmark, declarative
BP = benchmark, procedural
BC = benchmark, contextual
1st letter/number of each code in parentheses:
2 Project 2061: Benchmarks for Science Literacy
A NAEP: Science Assessment and Exercise Specifications
B1 International Baccalaureate: Primary Years Science
B2 International Baccalaureate: Middle Years Science
C CDE: Science Framework for California Public Schools
DoD Department of Defense curriculum for Prekindergarten science
F NAEP: 1996 Science Framework
2nd letter code :
E = Explicitly stated in document
ACADEMIC TEXTBOOK SOURCES:
FR France: Pre-Elementary School Program
H Headstart Child Outcomes Framework
IB International Baccalaureate: Biology
IC International Baccalaureate: Chemistry
IE International Baccalaureate: Environmental System
IL Illinois Early Learning Standards
IP International Baccalaureate: Physics
L Louisana Pre-Kindergarten Content Standards
MH McGraw-Hill: Pre-Kindergarten Standards: Guidelines for Teaching and Learning
N1 New Standards: Elementary School
N2 New Standards: Middle School
N3 New Standards: High School
NS Science Assessment & Item Specifications for 2009 NAEP, Prepub. Ed.
NZ New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum
O NAEP: 1990 Science Objectives
P Pearsall: NSTA: The Content Core
R Russia: Beginnings: The Fundamentals of Preschool Education
S NRC: National Science Education Standards
T1 TIMSS: Population 1
T2 TIMSS: Population 2
T3 TIMSS: Final Year
TX Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines for Science
UK United Kingdom: Desirable Outcomes for Children's Learning
Go to evolution essay #2.2: Focus on the Science
of Evolution, Genetics, and DNA
Go to brainpower index: Interactive Index of Factual Ideas