While many mutations are neutral, those that appear advantageous increase in frequency in a population. Scholars use illustrations to make predictions about populations of mice. They follow it up with a video to confirm or refute their hypotheses and, finally, analyze the data in charts and graphs  to answer analysis questions. 

Concepts

adaptations, mutation, evolution, natural selection, traits, genetic variation

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Review bar graphs highlighting which variable goes on which axis
• Focus on the mutation not being related to an outside stimulus

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of traits, inherited traits, survival, reproduction, niches, and food webs

Pros

• Includes a complete answer key
• Links to an extension idea for more advanced classes

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.9-10.3 RST.9-10.4 RST.9-10.7 RST.11-12.3 RST.11-12.4 RST.11-12.7 WHST.9-10.1.a WHST.11-12.1.a MP2 MP3 MP5