Evolution & Classification Unit

Jamie Brunmeier
Thomas Jefferson Charter School

Work Dates: _Mon. 1/4-Fri. 1/15; Test Date: _Mon. 1/11

C Layer Activities: knowledge & comprehension

Students must earn at least 200 points to receive a “C” grade for this unit. You must complete 200 points of C-Layer activities to advance to B-Layer activities. You MUST complete activities with a “*”.

Points

Possible

 Points

Earned

 Assignment Description Date Due Teacher

Initial
10   **Cladogram lecture and take notes Wed. 1/6  
15   PBS Video Dogs & more Dogs- write a 2 paragraph summary on how this DVD relates to evolution Fri. 1/8  
10   **Darwin Evolution Lecture and take notes Wed 1/6  
20   **Do the end of the chapter 15 & chapter 17 reviews.  #1-25 for each    
10   **Evolution lecture and take notes Fri. 1/8  
10   Develop a list of examples of the biodiversity that Darwin observed.    
10   Type a 2-page paper (double spaced) comparing Darwin’s and Wallace’s background, career and theories of evolution. Cite all references used.    
10   **Define and know the vocabulary:    
10   **Do a web search for the Galapagos Islands.  In a 2 paragraph response explain how this island has anything to do with this unit (be specific on the animal types)    
15   Outline chap. 17 & chap. 15 from biology textbook    
10   Brainstorm ways Earth might change over the next 1000 years. Select an organism living today and explain how it might evolve to adapt to the changes. Describe this in writing or make a sketch of specific adaptations in your organism (OD)    
10   Research the convergent evolution of marsupial and placental mammals. Create a poster or type a 1-page paper that compares examples of both.    
10   Create a concept map that summarizes Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.    
10   Construct a compare/contrast table listing similarities and differences between artificial and natural selection and give examples of each    
10   Write a brief children’s book explaining the theory of evolution by natural selection for a young audience (who knows nothing about the subject).    
10   Make a model fossil of a shell, leaf, fern frond, nut or other small organic specimen. Use plaster of Paris, something similar or check with me if you have a better idea J    
10   Research the enfolding theory of the origin of eukaryotic cells. Explain what is proposes and what evidence supports it. Type an explanation or draw a diagram to explain it. Cite all references used.    
10   Construct a poster of the geologic eras (including a time scale with each period). Include pictures and labels to show major evolutionary events and the most important organisms that lived in that era; or create a newspaper story describing the major evolutionary events and the most important organisms that lived in that era.    
10   **Make a list of terms and phrases that are associated with divergent and convergent evolution (listing each evolution separately). Add drawings or photographs for each.    
10   Write a paragraph explaining why it is important to classify the diversity of living things.    
10   Write a paragraph about two different species of bears, that illustrates binomial nomenclature. Cite all references used.    
10   **Construct a Venn diagram to show similarities and differences between traditional classification diagrams and Cladograms.    
10   Draw a cladogram of a manufactured item, such as a car, house-hold item, that has changed over the years. Label derived characters that appeared as new models arose.    
10   Research different organisms found in each kingdom. Sketch or use photos to create a poster illustrating all the diversity.    
100   Unit Test (chap. 17) Mon. 1/11  
 

B layer Activities: Application and Analysis

You must complete 30 points in order to receive a “B”, and to advance to the A-Layer activities.  Students are responsible for conducting these labs.

Points

Possible

 Points

Earned

 Assignment Description Date Due Teacher

Initial
10  

**Peppered Moth Lab (informal)

    
10  

**Survival of the Fittest Lab (informal)- done together as whole class on

 Wed. 1/13  
10  

Using Dichotomous Key- Sharks (informal)

    
10  

Where the hippos roam lab (informal)

    
 
 

A  layer activities:  Synthesis and Evaluation

You must complete 20 points in order to receive an “A”.

Points

Possible

 Points

Earned

 Assignment description Date Due Teacher

Initial
20   Create a power point presentation or booklet on Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. The presentation must have at least 5 slides or pages. (A title slide and 4 slides identifying and explaining his 4 most important ideas.) On the last slide or page of your book, explain whether you agree or disagree with Darwin's theory. Justify your answer. Fri. 1/15  
20   Select an adaptation of a plant or animal. Write a scenario explaining how the trait might have evolved according to Lamarck, and then write a second scenario using Darwin’s ideas.    
20   Create a board game in which players must correctly answer the questions about the periods of the Geologic Eras in order to advance around the board. Each player should represent a type of organism that actually lived during the eras. Can include environmental changes and extinction.    
 

*This sheet (with my initials) must be turned

in with your “A” layer (please staple together).*