Evolution and Adaptation
21 short narrated lessons in 4 chapters, each with pictures, a quiz with a hint and a second try, and an explanation for every answer.
Standards: MS-LS4-1 MS-LS4-2 MS-LS4-3 MS-LS4-4 MS-LS4-6 MS-LS4-5
What your child will learn
The fossil record
- Fossils as EvidenceExplain how fossils show what life was like in the past.
- Changes Over TimeAnalyze patterns in the fossil record showing life has changed over time.
- ExtinctionDescribe extinction and how the fossil record shows it.
- Transitional FossilsExplain how some fossils show features of both older and newer groups.
- The Fossil Record: Review ReviewReview what the fossil record tells us about the history of life.
Evidence of common ancestry
- Similar Body StructuresCompare bone structures in different animals to find similarities.
- Common AncestorsExplain how shared features suggest organisms are related.
- Comparing EmbryosCompare early developmental stages of different animals to find similarities.
- Branching DiagramsRead a branching diagram showing how groups of organisms are related.
- Evidence of Common Ancestry Review ReviewReview the anatomical and embryological evidence for relationships among organisms.
Natural selection
- Variation in PopulationsExplain that individuals in a population have different traits.
- Survival and ReproductionExplain how some traits help individuals survive and reproduce.
- AdaptationsDescribe adaptations that help organisms live in their environments.
- Traits Change Over GenerationsUse data to show how traits in a population change over many generations.
- Natural Selection Review ReviewReview how natural selection changes the traits of populations over time.
Selection by people
- Selective BreedingExplain how people breed plants and animals for desired traits.
- Dogs and CropsDescribe examples of how selective breeding changed dogs and crops.
- Genetic EngineeringExplain how scientists can change an organism's genes directly.
- Benefits and QuestionsEvaluate information about the benefits and concerns of genetic technologies.
- Selection by People Review ReviewReview how people influence the traits of organisms through technology.
- Unit 6 Test: Evolution and AdaptationShow what you learned in the whole unit (The fossil record, Evidence of common ancestry, Natural selection, Selection by people) by answering mixed questions.
Try a question from this unit
From the lesson “Fossils as Evidence”
Hikers find fossil fish in a rock layer in the middle of a dry desert. What is the best conclusion?
Show the answer
Water covered this area when that layer formed.. Fossils show the environment at the time a layer formed, and fish need water, so a lake or sea once covered this place. Fish cannot live in sand, and wind does not bury whole fish inside solid rock layers.
Hint kids see after a wrong try: “Think about the environment a fish needs, and when the rock layer formed.”
Key words
- fossil record
- pattern
- change
- extinction
- transitional fossil
- homologous structure
- anatomy
- common ancestor
- embryo
- development
- cladogram
- variation
- population
- natural selection
- fitness
- adaptation
- generation
- evolution
- selective breeding
- artificial selection
- breed
- crop
- genetic engineering
- technology
Try these lessons in Kids Shelf
Narrated lessons, pictures and quizzes for every grade from K to 8. Works offline.
