Curated OER
Evolution worksheet
Looking at evolution in detail, this thorough instructional activity has complex questions requiring details and explanations of natural selection and diversity. Various examples of biological characteristics are available, and students...
Curated OER
Coming to America
Through this set of three lessons about Ellis Island, class members will learn about why immigrants came to the United States, find out about the difficulties that went along with coming to America, become familiar with the immigration...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...
Aquarium of the Pacific
Turn a Cow into a Whale
Third graders explore animals that might have a common ancestor and resemble one another. For this cow and whale lesson plan, 3rd graders recognize the similarities between the whale and the cow. Students complete worksheets based on...
Curated OER
The Illusion of Race
This is mostly an exploration of race through an interactive website, class readings, and discussion. Individuals take an online quiz about race, they answer questions on a worksheet by visiting another website, and discover that race is...
Curated OER
My Arkansas Family Tree
Here is a two-part instructional activity that introduces learners to genealogy by having them create family trees, and map the movements of their ancestors. While this resource is designed for kids who live in Arkansas, it certainly can...
Curated OER
Exploring China
Second graders explore the geography, holidays, important teachers, and inventions from China in the nine lessons of this unit. The results of their inquiries are expressed through a variety of products, writings, and presentations.
Curated OER
The Economienda System
Explore the Economienda System common in Latin America during the 1700s. The class will read the included text, answer 3 critical-thinking questions, and fill out a pie chart showing the demographics of the time. They will learn about...
Curated OER
What Can Pseudogenes Tell Us About Common Ancestry?
Students compare/constrast DNA sequence data for a portion of the rat GULO gene to the corresponding sequence in the inactive GULO gene in humans, chimpanzees, orangutans, and crab-eating macaques by identifying the shared sequences in...
Biology Junction
Evolution – Diversity of Life
Scientists noticed animals with backbones share similar bone structure despite having different forms, such as fins, arms, and wings. Young scientists gain an appreciation for evolution by understanding the history of the theory. They...
Curated OER
Building Bodies
Learners identify key anatomical similarities and differences between great apes and humans. They infer likely anatomical features in ancient human ancestors and list principal anatomical changes in primates necessary for adaptation to...
Curated OER
Masking: Honoring Animals, Ancestors, and Gods
Young scholars analyze the role of masks in African culture. In this African masks lesson plan, students read about the importance and meaning of imagery of African masks. Young scholars observe animals in local ecosystems and create a...
Curated OER
The Effect of Natural Selection on Genes, Traits and Individuals
Rotating through five stations, evolutionary biologists explore the question of how changes in DNA facilitate the changes in a population over time. High-quality, colorful cards of animals, skeletons, skulls, and DNA sequences can all be...
Curated OER
An International Menu
Students research etymologies using dictionaries. They explore the diverse origins of the common foods they eat after making a list of their favorite foods.
Curated OER
When Turtle Grew Feathers
Students explore the Choctaw Native American tribe. In this cross curriculum literacy and U.S. history instructional activity, students locate where the Choctaw Indians lived on a United States map. Students listen to When Turtle Grew...
Columbus City Schools
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
Can you name a type of reproduction that produces no variation in the offspring? The multimedia lesson covers both sexual and asexual reproduction through videos and discussions. It includes topics such as genetic modification, meiosis,...
Curated OER
Weeds-Wild and Wonderful
Young scholars compare and contrast weeds and desirable plants. They explore the ways which their ancestors used weeds and depended on them for food and other household necessities.
Curated OER
How The Brahman Bull Got Its Hump
Students examine ancestors of Brahaman cattle. After reading a story, "How The Camel Got His Hump," students discuss the differences between a camel and a Brahman bull. Upon completing a discussion of how the Brahman got its hump,...
Curated OER
"Coolies, Sailors and Settlers: Voyage to the New World"
Students examine the larger social, political and economic issues that influenced the first Asians' migration to the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries. They distinguish between commonly held assumptions about the first Asians in...
Curated OER
Natural Selection And Evolution
Students investigate the concept of evolution and how natural selection is used as an indicator that evolution has happened. They recognize the three effects it has on diversity and how adaptations can develop. Diversity is explained as...
Curated OER
DECODING BOROBUDUR
Students study the example of the spread of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, assess the possible meaning conveyed by Borobudur, explore how ideas travel and the process of syncretism, and appreciate how and why Salindra leaders in Java...
Curated OER
Where Do We Come From? An Introduction to Primate Biology
Seventh graders explore skeletal biology. Through a discussion and video observation, 7th graders investigate how the anatomy is adapted to the environment. Students study primates and explore their characteristics and behaviors.
Curated OER
An Introduction to Primate Biology
Students examine why humans are classified as primates and what features they share with other members of the order. For this investigative lesson students divide into groups and complete their lab station.
Curated OER
Classroom Cladogram of Vertebrate/Human Evolution
Students build a Colossal Classroom Cladogram of vertebrate evolution. After putting it together, they show the gradual, mosaic accumulation of the traits which we, as humans, possess.