Lesson Plan
Indiana University

Ensi: Comparison of Human: Chimpanzee Chromosomes Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This is a great lesson plan that combines Karoytypes and evolution. Students will recognize that the chromosomes of chimpanzees and humans are remarkably similar, then correlate that to their evolutionary relationship.
Handout
Other

Cartage: Discovery of Early Hominids

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive essay provides a brief history of the Australopithecines an in depth discussion of the discovery of the early fossils, and a look at the ancestors of the Australopithecines.
Website
Other

Institute of Human Origins: Becoming Human

For Students 9th - 10th
Multimedia-rich guide for anyone making their way through a study of human origin. Find information and analysis about the fossil record, comparative anatomy, theories, and the cultural adaptations of humans and their ancestors. With an...
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Leakey Family Discovers Human Ancestors

For Students 9th - 10th
The PBS site covers the Leakey family and their discoveries in Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. This information was part of a PBS exploration of human evolution.
Website
PBS

Pbs News Hour Extra: Scientists Discover Oldest Human Ancestor

For Students 9th - 10th
Scientists have recently published their research into fossil bones from Ethiopia that they say came from an ancestor common to both humans and chimpanzees. They have named the ancestor Ardipithecus ramidus. In the articles and video,...
Website
University of California

Uc Berkeley: Ethiopian Fossils From 6 Million Year Old Hominid

For Students 9th - 10th
In this article from 2004, UC Berkeley reports that additional fossils have been found from the 2001 discovery of Ardipithecus kadabba. This find holds great importance because it is suggested that it may represent the first species...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Lucy: The First Hominid Skeleton

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the archaeologists who discovered the first Hominid skeleton and other ancestors of humans.
Website
The Field Museum

Field Museum: Exhibits: Evolving Planet: Hominids

For Students 9th - 10th
In this effective exhibit, you will examine hominid evolution, view pictures of our ancient ancestors, and delve into three trends in hominid evolution that brought humankind into the modern era. A video is also provided where you will...
Handout
Other

Washington State University: Hominid Species Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
This complete resource contains a chronological chart that shows the main hominid species and their approximate relationships in time. A description of each hominid is included as well.
Handout
Talk Origins Archive

Talk Origins: Fossil Hominids: Richard Leakey

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography of Richard Leakey that deals with his paleontological work and his efforts to preserve African wildlife.
Article
Scientific American

Scientific American: Oldest Member of the Human Family

For Students 9th - 10th
This article, published by Scientific American (July 11, 2002), highlights the discovery of a nearly complete skull of the oldest and most primitive member of the human family known yet. This fossil, found in central Africa, contains a...
Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Lee R. Berger, ph.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Lee Berger, a paleoanthropologist who made critical discoveries about our human ancestry during his explorations in Southern Africa. As he talks of his discoveries, you can feel his palpable excitement. Includes a profile,...
Handout
Talk Origins Archive

Talk Origins: The Hominid Species

For Students 9th - 10th
Talk Origins gives a broad description of the types of Hominid species, and then gives a description of each species. Includes the specific characteristics of each, and explains the differences between the species.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Australopithecus Anamensis

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia's entry on Australopithecus anamensis. It discusses its scientific classification, age and its posture.
Handout
Archaeological Institute of America

Early Homo Erectus Tools in China

For Students 9th - 10th
An article which describes a fossil site in eastern China where evidence has been found that Home erectus may have been active in eastern China some 400,000 years earlier than scientists believed. The authors also summarize the debate...
Handout
University of Oxford (UK)

Pitt Rivers Museum: Methods of Making Fire

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative article summarizing the history of fire, how humans have used it and the various methods humans have used to start a fire.
Handout
BBC

Bbc: The Discovery of Fire

For Students 3rd - 8th
A brief but nice article which summarizes some of the theories concerning the discovery and use of fire by early humans.
Lesson Plan
Other

Personal Site: The Discovery of Fire

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A firth grade lesson designed to introduce students to the discovery of fire and how early man might have discovered how they could use "fire".
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Sahelanthropus

For Students 9th - 10th
An encyclopedia article on the oldest known hominid discusses the features of the fossils that were found, the region in which they were found, and what this means for human evolution.
Graphic
Curated OER

Unesco: Tanzania: Ngorongoro Conservation Area

For Students 9th - 10th
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area spans vast expanses of highland plains, savanna, savanna woodlands and forests. Established in 1959 as a multiple land use area, with wildlife coexisting with semi-nomadic Maasai pastoralists practicing...