Macat introduces viewers to one of the key ideas in Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species with a short video that models how natural selection influences evolutionary change.

Concepts

evolution, charles darwin

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the video to introduce a biology unit on adaptation and/or evolution
• Have groups research how Darwin's trip to the Galapagos influenced his theories
• Post a world map on the classroom wall to make clear the extreme isolation of the Galapagos Islands
• Have groups research the initial reception of Darwin's ideas and current assessments

Classroom Considerations

• Part of a Macat playlist on the world's greatest ideas

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• The narrator uses the example of two English moths to introduce viewers to Darwin's key ideas
  

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.3 SL.11-12.3