Change Topics Unit, Evolution, Natural Selection, Earth System History and more

"Comprehensive Evolution, Earth History, and Succession Unit for Science Educators"

This 6-part unit includes 40 lessons (50 minutes each) and 95 pages of work bundles that guide students through engaging, standards-aligned science content. Perfect for middle and high school educators, the unit combines interactive slideshows, hands-on activities, quizzes, and review games to ensure a thorough and dynamic learning experience. All materials are editable and compatible with Google Classroom for seamless lesson planning.

Key Features:

• Interactive Work Bundles: Students complete fill-in notes, answer questions, conduct experiments, and interpret graphs.

• Built-In Quizzes and Games: Each part concludes with a Quiz Game for review and assessment.

• Ready-to-Use Resources: Includes answer keys, video links, crossword puzzles, and editable templates.

Unit Breakdown:

Parts 1 & 2: Evolution and Natural Selection (16 Lessons)

• Topics: Evolutionary theory, gene pools, natural selection, Darwin, and Wallace.

• Activities: Peppered moth simulation, Galapagos case study, adaptive radiation projects, and more.

• Assessments: Crossword puzzles, Teddy Graham predator-prey lab, and visual reviews.

Part 3: Earth System History (8 Lessons)

• Topics: Geological time, mass extinction events, and evolutionary milestones.

• Activities: Create a 4.65-meter timeline of Earth's history, Burgess Shale fossils, and dinosaur evolution.

• Assessments: Timeline-based quizzes and group presentations.

Part 4: Human Evolution (6 Lessons)

• Topics: Hominid species, bipedalism, Laetoli footprints, mitochondrial DNA, and brain size.

• Activities: Skull comparisons, creating hominid timelines, and Becoming Human web quests.

• Assessments: Box games, crossword puzzles, and interactive reviews.

Part 5: Life Origins (6 Lessons)

• Topics: Characteristics of life, CHNOPS elements, Redi and Pasteur experiments, and Miller-Urey's origins of life.

• Activities: Ginger ale "sewer lice" experiment, amino acid exploration, and water’s role in life’s origin.

• Assessments: Visual quizzes and hands-on drawing activities.

Part 6: Ecological Succession (7 Lessons)

• Topics: Primary and secondary succession, pioneer species, and aquatic ecosystems.

• Activities: Sketching succession stages, Yellowstone fire case study, and aquatic eutrophication projects.

• Assessments: Visual and Venn diagram quizzes with answer keys for self-assessment.

Why Educators Love This Unit:

• Comprehensive and Engaging: Covers evolution, ecology, human history, and Earth's systems with interactive materials.

• Hands-On and Visual Learning: Includes labs, drawing activities, and projects to deepen understanding.

• Flexible and Customizable: Editable slides and work bundles allow adaptation to classroom needs.

This unit is a one-stop resource for teaching critical topics in evolution, Earth's history, human evolution, and ecological succession, equipping students with a strong foundation in scientific principles. Perfect for middle and high school science educators!