Article
University of Wisconsin

The Why Files: First Animal Ancestor Discovered in Deep Mud

For Students 9th - 10th
Two billion years ago, we share a common ancestor with this new-found relative. Is this our origin?
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,...
Unknown Type
McGraw Hill

Glencoe Biology: Human Ancestry: Self Check Quiz

For Students 9th - 10th
A five question, self-checking concept check over human ancestry and evolution.
Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: Ms Ls4 3: Embryological Evidence of Common Ancestry

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Work samples, phenomena, assessment templates, and videos that directly address standard MS-LS4-3: embryological evidence of common ancestry.
Article
Other

Aaas Science Now: 3 17 14: 'Little Foot' Fossil Could Be Human Ancestor

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about research being done to determine the age of the fossil called "Little Foot," an almost complete skeleton found in South Africa. "Little Foot" may prove to be an ancestor of humans, if some researchers are right about the age...
Handout
Other

Ancestry: Last Name Meanings and Origins

For Students 1st - 9th
Discover the meaning and history behind any last name.
Lesson Plan
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science:ms Ls4 1: Fossil Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on earth under the assumption that natural laws operate...
Website
BBC

Bbc History Trail: Family History

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn how to create a family tree. Also get tips from experts on researching your own ancestry, including working with census material, military records, and certifications.
Lesson Plan
Other

Bringing History Home: Immigration History

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
This 2nd grade unit invites children to learn their ancestors' native countries of origin. The take-home page for family ancestry offers several alternatives to citing a specific family immigration history. Studying immigration provides...
Handout
Other

Evidence for Evolution: Genetic Code

For Students 9th - 10th
These pages are part of a site called Evolution that accompany a textbook by the same name. Mark Ridley is the author. In this section: the universal genetic code provides evidence that life has a common ancestor.
Handout
PBS

Pbs/evolution: Birds Arrived Comparitively Late

For Students 9th - 10th
Good discussion of both sides of the debate over the origins of birds. Presents the recent evidence that seems to lean in the direction of the pro-dinosaur ancestry argument.
Lesson Plan
National Health Museum

Access Excellence: Molecular Biology/primate Phylogeny

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan involves comparison of amino acids to create a phylogenetic tree of primates. Young scholars will also use other species information to draw conclusions about evolutionary relationships.
Handout
University of California

University of California Museum of Paleontology: Homologies

For Students 9th - 10th
These pages are from the Understanding Evolution website for teachers. They focus on homologous structures that organisms with common ancestors share.
eBook
Other

The Evidence for Evolution: Homologous Similarities

For Students 9th - 10th
This site is a section part of a website that accompanies "Evolution," a textbook by Mark Ridley. Here he covers homologous structures, using them as evidence for evolution.
Handout
Other

Evolution: Evidence From Living Organisms

For Students 9th - 10th
By examining fossils, scientists have collected evidence that supports the theory that species changed over time. As you read this article, study this evidence and critically evaluate whether it indicates that species may have arisen by...
Handout
Other

Cosmic Ancestry/the Second Law of Thermodynamics

For Students 9th - 10th
The differences between thermodynamic entropy and logical entropy are explained, especially how they relate to the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy in biology is also discussed.
Graphic
Curated OER

Eternal Egypt: Ancestor Bust of Pa en Djerty

For Students 9th - 10th
This sculpture came to light during the clearing of a Theban tomb belonging to Amenmose, who was the Royal Scribe of the Altar of the Two Lands. The name of the tomb owner does not appear on this bust, which depicts his father,...
Unit Plan
Digital History

Digital History: Explorations: The Puritans

For Students 9th - 10th
No group has played a more pivotal role in shaping American values than the New England Puritans. The seventeenth-century Puritans contributed to our country's sense of mission, its work ethic, and its moral sensibility. Today, eight...
Handout
Other

Life on Australian Seashores: Molluscs

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides a very basic look at the anatomy of a mollusk including the proposed anatomy of what the mollusc ancestor probably looked like. Hyperlinks to individual animals in the mollusk group.
Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of the American Indian: African Native American Lives

For Students 9th - 10th
A fascinating exhibition on the history of Americans of both African American and Native American ancestry. The exhibit looks at policies and laws that affected them, how they have formed and managed communities, their resistance...
Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Human Origins: Human Family Tree

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the human ancestor you are interested in and click on it either in the timeline or the list below for more details. Each fossil or reconstruction pictured includes links to more details about it.
eBook
Blackdog Media

Classic Reader: Aeneid by Virgil

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the full text of the Latin epic poem Aeneid by Virgil that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Romans.
Interactive
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Dna From the Beginning: Living Things Share Common Genes

For Students 9th - 10th
This multimedia article includes animations, pictures, video, biographical information, and quiz questions that are accessed by clicking on buttons along the bottom of the page. Here you can see how common genes are evidence for common...
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...

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