Students read and discuss selected and edited excerpts from the essays of Stephen Jay Gould on the subject of contrivances.

Fourth graders investigate scientists and inventors. In this science instructional activity, 4th graders discuss inventors and scientists. Students research their chosen inventor or scientists and write a report about that person.

Students investigate the concepts of genetics and how it is tied to the variations found within different species and how it is tied to adaptations. They review the theory of evolution and factors found to help create variation. The...

Students examine the topic of natural selection. As a class, they write their own definition to survival of the fittest and watch a video. Using the internet, they research how Darwin started to examine this process using finches and how...

High schoolers become birds and are given "beak-types". After completing the simulation, students relate results to adaptations and natural selection. Extensions of the simulation allow for comparative results and include population...

Students act as predators searching for prey (beans) in two different settings to demonstrate the processes of adaptation and selection.

Students practice the correct use of quotation marks. In this grammar lesson, students watch and then discuss a video on the use of quotation marks. Students find examples of quotation marks in books and periodicals and then convert...

Discover the concept of found poetry in this engaging lesson plan. Secondary students will explore the poem "Natural Selection" and compare it to the writings of Charles Darwin in Origin of the Species. Students chose a text and create...

Students construct a working definition of the word "evolution," and list the key points of Darwin's theory of natural selection. They create paper moths to help them explain the importance of camouflage and how it relates to natural...

Young scholars research and discuss the natural habitats and various evolutionary theories of giraffes and other animals imported into ancient Rome.

In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read an extract from Darwin's book The Voyage of the Beagle.  Students answer 12 comprehension questions in 15 minutes in this SAT practice worksheet.

In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 13 matching questions regarding 1920's America and the Hoover presidency. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Pupils examine how organisms adapt to their environment in order to survive. As a class, they discuss the extinction of the dinosaurs and review Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. They select an animal to morph in the future and...

Students study Charles Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle and his visit to the Gal??pagos Islands. They click through an interactive map of the Gal??pagos Islands to read actual and fictional journal entries from a fellow eco-tourist.

Students, in groups, classify furniture, share their categories and rationales, then note how their different schemes vary, perfectly logical and useful, but completely arbitrary.

Sixth graders are able to see the role of chance in evolution. The activity is similar to the party game "gossip" or "telephone." Students start off with a drawing of an animal which changes as they pass their copies of the animal to...

In this biology learning exercise, students look for the words that are related to the theme of the learning exercise. They also work on the skills of spelling and word recognition.

Students evaluate the various purposes and issues surrounding the management of a nature preserve. They participate in discussion on whether there is intrinsic value in nature for its own sake.

Students study the world's rainforests for unusual plant and animal species. They explore how biologists use infrared cameras to explore jungles.

Students explore evolutionary processes and theories using the spotted fish applet. They observe what happens to fish in a closed environment with both food and predators. Students run the model several times and answer questions about...

In this missing instructional activity, students, with a partner, complete a variety of activities associated with terms and phrases having to do with the term missing.

Students study "The Ebb-Tide", an original drama based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson."The Ebb-Tide", like many of Stevenson's works, is a nautical adventure combining mystery, murder and memorable char

Pupils research any topic relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) research cruise that Mrs. Richards be participating in.

Students discover the diverse roles of hybridization among animals. They research certain examples of animal hybrids as a springboard to analyzing a zoo's potential exhibit of animal hybrids.