Charles Darwin Lesson Plans

Students watch a series of videos and observe the different plants and animals found in the rainforests. In this ecology activity, students discuss how technology helped scientists study the jungle. They create 3D maps of Borneo rainforests.

Students examine the human population response to microbial diseases.  In this disease lesson students observe population trends, write about a scientist and evaluate and defend current treatments for infectious diseases. 

Students experience exploration. In this exploration lesson, students study the Elucian Islands and Darwinism using the virtual world Second Life.

Students gain an understanding of the Darwinian theory of evolution, examine how Darwin's theory has been adopted by ruling elites in order to justify their position in power, compare religious and historical responses to Darwin's theory, and role-play religious leaders' responses to Darwin's theory.

Learners are able to recognize that scientists use different definitions of species. They are able to assess the strengths and limitations of species definitions depending on their context. Students are able to use definitions of species to enhance their understanding of speciation. They are able to understand the concept of taxonomy and biodiversity inventories.

Ninth graders study variation within a species and how natural selection acts on the phenotype of an organism.  In this evolution lesson students view a PowerPoint presentation and complete a worksheet.

Students trace the history of the development of Eugenics. In this social studies lesson plan, students read and analyze a real life case. They write a paper about what they read.

Eleventh graders explore natural selection using an interactive online website. In this biology lesson, 11th graders research about a specific natural selection topic. They create a visual aid about it and share their findings in class.

Students examine mechanisms behind biological evolution and the theories that feed it, and are able to demonstrate their knowledge of these theories in a story.

Students compare Lamarck's mechanism for evolution with Darwin's theory of natural selection.