Lesson 3

Name: Elizabeth Tkaczynski

Topic(s) of lesson: Evolution and Research Projects

Grade Level: 7th Grade

Goals/Lesson Objective(s):

SWBAT understand key vocab IOT relate it to a real-world situation that they will do a
mini-research project on.

Standards:

Science:

Standard - 3.1.7.C2 Explain why the extinction of a species may occur when the
environment changes.

NGSS Science:

MS-LS4-4 Construct an explanation based on evidence that describes how genetic

variations of traits in a population increase some individuals’ probability of surviving
and reproducing in a specific environment.

Assessment:

Students will present information on a specific, researched example of either sexual

selection, extinction, or natural selection using ideas of variation and environmental
factors in their explanations.

I will also assess a written summary of a different group’s topic for every student.
Classroom Arrangement/ Management Issues:

I will need to be strategic of the groups I place students into. I don’t expect many
management issues since the students are used to doing group research projects.

Materials:

- Powerpoint involving review of key vocab and an introduction to some new

terms
- Laptops
- Rubric

Before (Introduction and Hook): (5 minutes)

● Plicker about finch variation (5 minutes).

During (Learning Activities):

● Introduction/review discussion to the following vocab: Sexual Selection, Natural Selection,

Adaptation, Variation, and Extinction (15 minutes).
● Outline student research project assignment and go over rubric with the students,
(including an optional “create an activity” part for students who finish early) (5 minutes).
● Assign groups based on student interest data from last class’s exit ticket (2 minutes)
● Initial research time and group meeting (15 minutes).
After (Closing):

● Put away laptops/ clean up and talk about my expectations for how much time in class
they will be given to work on their research presentations (3 minutes).

Anticipated Student Responses:

I anticipate that students will have questions about the optional “create an activity”
part for early finishers. Students may have questions about the vocab words before
starting their project which I will address with the whole class.

Accommodations:

Students will be grouped based on their interests (exit ticket information from the class
prior to this lesson) and abilities. I will try to accommodate student preferences on
who and what they want to work with.