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Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color ActivityDeveloping an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color Activity
Publisher
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
7th - 12th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Type
Activities & Projects
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 hr
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
3 more...
Technology
Video
Internet Access
Year
2017
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Activity

Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color activity also includes:
  • Student Worksheet
  • Additional Evidence
  • Explanation Table
  • Educator Materials (Spanish Version)
  • Student Handout (Spanish Version)
  • Additional Evidence (Spanish Version)
  • Explanation Table (Spanish Version)
  • Developing an Explanation for Mouse Fur Color (.html)
  • Join to access all included materials

Whether or not you think mice are nice, you'll love the colorful activity! Scholars examine evidence for evolution in the rock pocket mouse through video, discussion, and collaborative work. Learners watch a video regarding variation in mouse fur color, then identify and organize evidence to support an explanation of fur color as an inherited trait.

45 Views 36 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable

Concepts

genetic variation, genetic traits, inherited traits, traits, natural selection, animal adaptations, evolution, mice, arguments, supporting evidence, alleles, animal populations

Additional Tags

science

Instructional Ideas

  • Link the lesson to the MC1R gene that influences human skin color using a related video
  • Use the question where students apply their understanding of fur color to a different mouse species as a group discussion or individual assessment

Classroom Considerations

  • Make sure the class understands genetic terms like allele, variation, and inherited trait before beginning the study

Pros

  • Shows pupils a simple, organized method for creating and supporting an argument with evidence
  • The teacher's guide contains a wealth of strategies for presenting the material, as well as printable worksheets and answer keys

Cons

  • None

Common Core

SL.7.2 SL.9-10.2

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