Science Time - Middle School Life Science Pt 4: Evolution of Species
In this 5 week life science course, students will investigate evolution through various scientific theories, evolutionary arguments, and other views about the age of the Earth and evolution of species.
Patch Kulp M. Ed
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(625)
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What's included
10 live meetings
5 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Students will be assigned note sheets to complete throughout the lessons. Students will be assigned a final project that will challenge them to apply all that they have learned throughout the course. Homework each week should take 1-2 hours.Assessment
Students will be assessed formatively via note sheets, question and answer and introductory review quizzes.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
In this 5 week course, students will seek to answer the question, "Where did life come from?". This question requires so much consideration, that I believe we could spend a whole year talking about it! Life is so exciting and complex. However, this course provides the big picture concepts and is built around Next Generation Science Standards for 6th-9th grade life science. We will talk about key principles like unity, diversity, natural selection, artificial selection, fossil record, geography etc. Overall, we will analyze evolutionary theories by 3 main categories: structural, genetics/microbiology and direct observation. Additionally, will we also look at other key theories of life, like intelligent design, punctuated equilibrium, mutation theory, Lamarck's theory, etc. While some of these have been disproven, it is important to understand where all of the arguments stem from to what they are today. Weekly Schedule: Week 1: Evolutionary Theories Week 2: Structural and Direct Observation Evolution Week 3: Genetics/Microbiology Evolution Week 4: Other views on the age of the Earth Week 5: Creating a thesis based on intelligent design and evolutionary principles
Learning Goals
Students will understand theories of evolution.
Students will build confidence in their ability to formulate a stance and argue for what they believe in.
Students will learn how to investigate facts and theories.
Standards:
MS-LS4-1. Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.
MS-LS4-2. Apply scientific ideas to construct an explanation for the anatomical similarities and differences among modern organisms and between modern and fossil organisms to infer evolutionary relationships.
MS-LS4-3. Analyze displays of pictorial data to compare patterns of similarities in the embryological development across multiple species to identify relationships not evident in the fully formed anatomy.
MS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.
MS-LS4-5. Gather and synthesize information about the technologies that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
None.
Supply List
Students will be supplied with a note sheet each week that can be printed or downloaded as a word document.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2020
4.9
625reviews
Star Educator
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Washington Teaching Certificate in Science
Hi learners and parents!
I currently am a credentialed teacher in Washington State and hold my endorsements in biology (5-12), health (K-12) and fitness (K-12).
I currently teach AP Biology, honors biology, anatomy and physiology and health science.
Last year, I taught biology, environmental science, health, physics and P.E. to middle and high school students.
I hold my Masters Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in life sciences and health.
I received my Bachelors Degree in Athletic Training from Whitworth University. I completed 1,250 clinical hours in physical therapy clinics, collegiate, semi-professional and high school athletic training rooms, emergency rooms and urgent cares.Reviews
Live Group Class
$75
for 10 classes2x per week, 5 weeks
30 min
Completed by 78 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
3-9 learners per class
