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Detailed Timeline and Credits

Using the theme of water as a fundamental force shaping the natural world, this unit emphasizes the concepts of evolution, adaptation, and the scientific method.

Day One: Laying the groundwork
Why are we going to Cold Canyon?
  •  
 Review concepts of evolution
Day Two: Activity
Brainstorm the basic needs of living things
 
  • Students review adaptations and basic needs of organisms for survival.
 
  • Human Jigsaw
Day Three: Activity
Fun with functions
 
  • Functions of various organs and systems of the human body are matched to the corresponding systems of other animals, and even plants! (For example, the counterparts of the human respiratory system are stomata on leaves, amphibian skin, insect spiracles, and fish gills.)
Niche and classification
 
  • Students learn how adaptations relate to an organism’s survival in a specific niche. The physical constraints of the environment and the evolutionary history of a species determine the overall body plan of the organism.
 
  • Other important factors in shaping organisms are their predators and food sources, as well as the physical laws that body structures must abide by.
Day Four: Activity
Sizzling Synergy
Day Five: Activity
Create a creature
 
  • Using their previous discussions, students get to create their own creatures, showing how they are adapted to a specific habitat.
Day Six: Field Trip Preparation
Teacher-generated Research Questions
  •  
 Student-generated Research Questions
Day Seven: Field trip to Stebbins-Cold Canyon Reserve
Day Eight: Recap the field trip
Data analysis
  •  
 Begin reports and posters
Day Nine: Wrapping Up
Finish reports and posters
  •  
 Prepare for oral reports
Day Ten: Oral Reports

Water, Water Everywhere: Shaping Our World

Unit Creation Information

Teacher:

Ken Evans, 7th grade science teacher, Lee Junior High, Woodland

Field site educators:

Peter Hodum and Rebecca Kershnar

UCD student:

Jasmin Dayrit

Participants

7th grade students, Lee Junior High School

Unit created:

2000-2001 school year

 


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