Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson pupils should;:

• Explore the basic mechanics that enable evolution to occur

Resources

• Film: 'the evolution of the giraffe'

• Powerpoint: 'how our fruit and vegetables have been developed'

• The 'Adaptation Game'

 

Vocabulary

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Starter activity 

1. Class Discussion:

How much do the children or their siblings share any physical characteristics with their parents?

 

Main activities 

1. Class Activity:

Watch film: 'the evolution of the giraffe'.

 

2. Teaching Point:

Reinforce the central concept from the film above that evolution requires three factors:

a. the possibility of variation

b. the mechanism of adaptation

c. a great length of time

 

3. Teaching Point/Class Discussion:

Human beings have harnessed the possibility of variation to create new versions of naturally occurring living things.

Can the children think of any animals or plants this might apply to? (e.g. dogs, cats, horses, farm animals, fruit, vegetables, garden plants)

 

4. Class Activity:

Watch Powerpoint: 'how our fruit and vegetables have been developed'

 

5. Group Activity:

Play the 'Adaptation Game'

 

Plenary activity 

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Assessment

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Downloadable lesson plan and resources