CMS Lesson Plan Template Teacher: Jolly-Smith/Rawlins/Wallace Course/Level: 7th Grade Life Science

Week of:
3/9/15 / Monday 3/9/15 / Tuesday 3/10/15 / Wednesday 3/11/15
Focused Standard/Element(s) / S7L5. Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.
  1. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations (e.g. Darwin’s finches and peppered moths of Manchester).
  2. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
  3. Trace evidence that the fossil record found in sedimentary roc provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms.
/ S7L5. Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.
  1. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations (e.g. Darwin’s finches and peppered moths of Manchester).
  2. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
Trace evidence that the fossil record found in sedimentary roc provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms / S7L5. Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.
  1. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations (e.g. Darwin’s finches and peppered moths of Manchester).
  2. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
Trace evidence that the fossil record found in sedimentary roc provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms
Essential Question(s) / What is evolution? / How does natural selection affect the evolution of species on earth?
What physical characteristics of organisms demonstrate/support the theory of evolution? / How does natural selection affect the evolution of species on earth?
What physical characteristics of organisms demonstrate/support the theory of evolution
Opening (5-10 min) / Anticipation Guide / Students will be presented with a picture and asked to hypothesize what will occur to the different colored pigeon. /
Work-Time Activities (40 min) / Discuss how physical characteristics change over time.
Pictures of the Finches – Teacher gathers research from the Internet over Galapagos Island and the changes in the birds found there. Students will be handed pictures and asked to note the variations in the birds’ beaks. Students will hypothesize as to why these variations exist. / Students will analyze how color affects an organism’s ability to survive in certain environments.
/ Industrial Melanism is a term used to describe the adaption of a population in response to pollution. One example of rapid industrial melanism occurred in populations of peppered moths in the area of Manchester, England from 1845 to 1890. Before the industrial revolution the trunks of the trees in the forest around Manchester were light grayish-green due to the presence of lichens. Most of the peppered moths in the area were light colored with dark spots. As the industrial revolution progressed, the tree trunks became covered with soot and turned dark. Over a period of 45 years, the dark variety o the peppered month became more common.
MINI LAB:
Place a sheet of white paper on the table and have one person spread 30 white circles and 30 newspaper circles over the surface while the other person isn’t looking. The “predator” will then use forceps to pick up as many of the circles as he/she can in 15 seconds. The number that are left are doubled to represent the next generation. This trial will be repeated with white circles on a newspaper background, newspaper circles on a white background, and newspaper circles on a newspaper background. Record the data in chart.

Closure Activity (10 min) / Discuss findings from today’s lesson. / Discuss findings from today’s lesson. / Answer the EQ.
Differentiation Strategies
(targeting student growth) / Paired groups, peer tutors, and individualized instructions when needed. / Paired groups, peer tutors, and individualized instructions when needed. / Paired groups, peer tutors, and individualized instructions when needed.
Thursday 3/12/15 / Friday 3/13/15 / Additional Notes
Focused Standard/Element(s) / S7L5. Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.
  1. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations (e.g. Darwin’s finches and peppered moths of Manchester).
  2. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
Trace evidence that the fossil record found in sedimentary roc provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms / S7L5. Students will examine the evolution of living organisms through inherited characteristics that promote survival of organisms and the survival of successive generations of their offspring.
  1. Explain that physical characteristics of organisms have changed over successive generations (e.g. Darwin’s finches and peppered moths of Manchester).
  2. Describe ways in which species on earth have evolved due to natural selection.
Trace evidence that the fossil record found in sedimentary roc provides evidence for the long history of changing life forms / Daily lesson plans may change at the discretion of the teacher.
WRITING PROMPT
Adaptations are traits that organisms inherit from their parents. These adaptations help organisms survive and reproduce in its environment. Cockroaches and insects in general, are very well adapted to their environment. Cockroaches have existed for millions of years. Since they appeared, many species have disappeared. Other species have evolved and disappeared as well. The cockroach is still adapting nicely and reproducing. Explain why in writing why this is true.
Essential Question(s) / Describe the importance of coloration in avoiding predation. Relate environmental change to changes in organisms. / Explain how natural selection causes populations to change.
Opening (5-10 min) / /
Work-Time Activities (40 min) / /
Jeopardy Review
Closure Activity (10 min) / Discuss findings from today’s lesson. / Discuss findings from today’s lesson.
Differentiation Strategies
(targeting student growth) / Paired groups, peer tutors, and individualized instructions when needed. / Paired groups, peer tutors, and individualized instructions when needed.