Natural Selection and Adaptations
Natural Selection and Adaptations
Grade Level:
7
Scope & Sequence:
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Goal:
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.
Objective:
Students will understand that adaptations can happen by natural selection acting over generations and it is an important process by which species change over time in response to changes in environmental conditions.
Background Knowledge / Cultural Concept
- Producers
- Consumers
- Habitat
- Photosynthesis
- Autotrophs
- Heterotrophs
- Food web
- Conservation
- Energy pyramid
- Abiotic
- Biotic
- Organism
- Population
- Community
- Ecosystem
- Biome
Spokane Tribal Values
- Land and environment
- Respect
- Relationships
- Home
- Community
- Honor
Vocabulary
- Interdependence – ntkk̓ʷels (cooperation)
- Biodiversity
- Trait
- Gene
- Sexual and Asexual Reproduction
- Adaptation
- Variation
- Niche
- Charles Darwin
- Natural Selection
- Evolution
- Fitness
- Carrying capacity
- Symbiosis
- Co-evolution
Lesson Plan
Teacher will model and teach how to make quiet observation at “Benjamin” or “Turtle” and then, in a separate trip observe interactions. (60-90mins)
Teacher will provide examples of Spokane and other cultural models of abiotic/biotic relationships. Teacher will explore how a peoples’ culture is shaped by their environment. Ceremonies revolved around salmon; with the dams in place, Spokane’s no longer practice.
Teacher will have the students create a project that represents our objective using a menu of different types of models they can select from using different mediums (e.g. picture, videos, songs, clay, models, powerpoint.)
Assessment:
- Each day – exit ticket. Written reasoning for creation of their project.
- Day 1: ID biomes for tomorrow.
- Day 2: Provide a list of organisms (don’t forget plants ☺).
- Day 3: Select how you are going to represent your model.
- Day 4: List of materials needed for model.
Enrichment:
Have student write their own “coyote” story about their project. The story must reflect a lesson for different interpretations – DO NOT state the moral/lesson.
Materials Needed:
- Visit lakes on the reservation
- Brian Crosley Water Resources
- Tribal member representation
Activity:
- Observations
- Models
- Project
Lesson Assigned To:
NGSS
- LS2.C
- LS2.A
- LS2.B
- LS1.C
Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.B
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.4
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.C
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.D
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.5
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.4