an evolution curriculum for elementary students joseph fail, jr. assistant: cindy blohm

AN EVOLUTION CURRICULUM

FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

JOSEPH FAIL, JR.

Assistant: Cindy Blohm

Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution

-Theodosius Dobzhansky

Do you believe this?

If you do, when should evolution be taught?

How should it be taught?

What would Darwin do?

http://donsmaps.com/images5/darwin.jpg

Creationist View Theistic Evolution Naturalistic Evolution

Group of adults

God created man pretty much in his present form at one time within the last 10,000 years.

Man has developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process, including man's creation.

Man has developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life. God had no part in this process.

Everyone 47% 40% 9%

Men 39% 45% 11.5%

Women 53% 36% 6.6%

College graduates 25% 54% 16.5%

No high school diploma 65% 23% 4.6%

Income over $50,000 29% 50% 17%

Income under $20,000 59% 28% 6.5%

Caucasians 46% 40% 9%

African-Americans 53% 41% 4%

Scientists 5% 40% 55%

U.S. Beliefs in Evolution

Gallup Poll 1997

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM CONSTRUCTION GUIDE

• Premise: ELEMENTARY STUDENTS ARE UNDERTAUGHT.

• Content and Teaching: BASIC, HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED.

• Format: 90 MINUTES, ONCE PER WEEK, 30 WEEKS.

Curriculum ‘Geography’

Science:Science:•Biology with Evolution

•Earth and Physical Science

Other Disciplines:Other Disciplines:•Math, Language, Social Studies

within the context of

ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

Develop and Publish Curriculum

Develop and Publish Primer (100 page teacher text book)

Train Teachers to Implement Curriculum

“Practice-Teach” with One (4th grade) Class

National and State Standards

North Carolina Standard Course of Study

Grade Competency Goal (Select Evolution Related) Objectives

3 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.02: Observe and describe how environmental

of plant growth and adaptations. conditions determine how well plants survive and grow.

1.05: Observe and discuss how bees pollinate flowers.

4 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.02: Observe and record how animals of the same of animal behavior and adaptations. kind differ in characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.

5 1: The learner will…build an understanding 1.05: Determine the interaction of organisms of the interdependence of plants and animals. within an ecosystem

National Science Education Standards:“… an understanding of evolution is necessary in describing all aspects of ‘changes in the universe.’”

Curriculum Units

I.  Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization

II.  Chemical Structure and Function

III.  Energy

IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms

V.  Biology: Information Storage and Transfer

VI. Ecology

VII. Evolution 

(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)

S P A C E

T

I

M

E

M A T T E R and E N E R G Y

L I F E

A Matrix of Evolution

Odum’s Ecological Organization Spectrum (Abridged)

Genes Cells Organisms Populations Communities

I. Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization

ECOSYSTEMS Y S T E M S

M A T T E R E N E R G Y

II.  Chemical Structure and Function

Introduction to Atoms: Structure and Periodic Table

Carbon and Covalent Bonds

Molecules: Sugars, Fats, Proteins, Nucleic Acids

Atomic Structure: Carbon

Electron (-)

6 Protons (+)6 Neutrons

Why are there two energy levels?

Carbon’s atomic number is 6…

What is it’s atomic weight?

What is their significance?

http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/images/chembonding_types-water.gif

Molecular Structure and Covalent Bonds

δ+

δ-

What is a covalent bond?

What is a molecule?

How many atoms make up this molecule?

H20 = Water

Molecular Structure: SugarH

H

CO HH

C

O

C O HH

C O HH

C O HH

C O HH

Why is sugar the molecule of biological energy storage?

Where do we get the stored energy?

Glucose C6H12O6

What do the lines between atoms represent?

What information can you draw from the short-hand C6H12O6 ?

What information does C6H12O6 leave out?

Curriculum Units

I.  Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization

II.  Chemical Structure and Function

III.  Energy

IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms

V.  Biology: Information Storage and Transfer

VI. Ecology

VII. Evolution 

(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)

III.  Energy

1st and 2nd Laws of Thermodynamics

Photosynthesis and Respiration

1st Law of Thermodynamics:Photosynthesis and Respiration

6 CO2 + 6 H20 C6H12O6 + 6 O2

P

R

(Chl)

(Teacher Note: What do students need to know to answer these questions?)

Plants “trap” light. How do they store the energy of light?

How does the stored light energy get to you?

How does this formula represent the 1st law of Thermodynamics?

2nd Law of Thermodynamics:For every energy transfer, 90% of the energy

is lost as waste heat

Why do we get hungry so often?

www.mcys.gov.sg/web/Faces/Faces40/p2.html

IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms

Cells: Structure and Function

Organisms: Five Kingdoms

Cells: Structure and Function

http://www.geocities.com/pieroscience/plant_cell.gifhttp://www.biolessons.com/lessonplans/cellularbiology/plant_animal_cell/animal_cell.jpg

Animal Plant

Nucleus

Chloroplast

Mitochondrion

Vacuole

Cell Membrane

Cell Wall

What are the functions of each organelle?

What do these cells do?

Organisms: Five Kingdoms

Prokaryote

(Monera)

Protista

http://universe-review.ca/I10-01-FiveKingdom.jpg

Animal Plant Fungi

What are similarities among organisms of the same kingdom?

What are differences between kingdoms?

Some Characteristics of the Five Kingdoms

Kingdom Nucleus? Cell Number Cell Wall? Energy Source

Heterotrophic& Autotrophic

Heterotrophic& Autotrophic

Heterotrophic

Autotrophic

Heterotrophic

Prokaryotes(Monera)

Protista

Fungi

Plantae

Animalia

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Single

Single (Gen)

Multicellular

Multicellular

Multicellular

Yes

No/Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Curriculum Units

I.  Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization

II.  Chemical Structure and Function

III.  Energy

IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms

V.  Biology: Information Storage and Transfer

VI. Ecology

VII. Evolution 

V.  Biology: Information Storage and Transfer

DNA Structure and Function: Replication, Transcription, and Translation

Meiosis and Gene Recombination

Mendelian Genetics: Phenotypes and Genotypes

Monohybrid Cross

Dihybrid Cross

Molecular Structure: DNA

What do the lines forming each angle represent?

www.emc.maricopa.edu

Transcription and Translation(An Illustration of the Mechanistic Nature of Biology)

Transcription, Translation, and Energy

Is respiration necessary for transcription and translation?

Are transcription and translation necessary for respiration?

Conclusion . . . ?

Transcription

Translation

DNA Structure and Function

How does this molecule relate to what we look like?

How does this molecule relate to future generations?

www.emc.maricopa.edu

. . . and what we do?

Mendelian Genetics: Monohybrid Cross

How does pink happen?

Distinguish between phenotypes and genotypes.

If the F2 generation were 3 Red:1 White, what could you say about inheritance?

Curriculum Units

I.  Overview of Biological Levels-of-Organization

II.  Chemical Structure and Function

III.  Energy

IV. Biology: Cells and Organisms

V.  Biology: Information Storage and Transfer

VI. Ecology

VII. Evolution 

(HEIRARCHICAL, SIMPLE, LOGICAL, INTUITIVE, STORYLIKE, AND CONNECTED)

VI. Ecology

Light: The Energetic Basis of Life Electromagnetic Spectrum Englemann’s Experiment

Nutrient Cycles: Role of Plants, Fungi, and Bacteria

Organisms and Environment Interactions: Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity Human Population Growth Curve

Time: Daily, Seasonal, Successional

http://3e.plantphys.net/images/ch07/wt0701d.jpg

Light: The Energetic Basis of LifeEnglemann’s Experiment

How does this diagram illustrate what plants do with light?

How does this experiment illustrate how ecosystems work? . . . how Earth works?

Why are plants green?

High Energy

Low Energy

Exponential Population Growth

What could prevent a population from unlimited growth?

Why does a K1 and K2 exist?

VII. Evolution 

Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection

DNA and Mutation Review

Relationship of DNA to Evolution

Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review

Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation

The Geography of Speciation

Co-evolution vs. Competition

Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity

Human Evolution

Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories 

Fact 1Potential

Exponential Increase of Populations

Observation

Inference 1Struggle for Existence

Among Individuals

Malthus

Fact 2Populations Are Steady

StateObservation

Fact 3Limitation of Resources

Malthus & Observation

Inference 3Through

Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of

IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

Mayr 1977

Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences

(Review) DNA Molecule – ‘Hard Inheritance’

In what way is DNA the basis for variation?

Fact 4Uniqueness of

IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

www.emc.maricopa.edu

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/exhibitions/genes/images/

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/images/evo/

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

(Review) Mutation : Sickle-Cell Anemia

Sickle cells hold less oxygen than normal cells.

How could such a harmful mutation persist in a population?

How does this

example illustrate Fact 5?

(Review) Inheritance: Sickle-Cell

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

How does the sickle-cell trait persist?

(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer this question?)

http://www.io.com/~tcm/images/TWDEFF2.GIF

= normal gene

= sickle mutation

no yes yes yes (but lethal) Malaria resistance?

Genotype

Phenotype

Geography and Genetic Variation:Sickle-Cell Disease and Malaria

http://bill.srnr.arizona.edu/classes/182/GeneFreqs/Sickle-Malaria.htm

How would deforestation affect the prevalence of the sickle cell trait? Inference 2

Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & Wallace

VII. Evolution 

Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection

DNA and Mutation Review

Relationship of DNA to Evolution

Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review

Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation

The Geography of Speciation

Co-evolution vs. Competition

Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity

Human Evolution

Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories 

Exponential Population Growth

What could prevent a population from undergoing

unlimited growth?

Fact 1Potential

Exponential Increase of Populations

Observation

Fact 3Limitation of Resources

Malthus & Observation

How does K affect populations?

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & Wallace

Fact 1Potential

Exponential Increase of Populations

Observation

Inference 1Struggle for Existence

Among Individuals

Malthus

Fact 2Populations Are Steady

StateObservation

Fact 3Limitation of Resources

Malthus & Observation

Inference 3Through

Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of

IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

Mayr 1977

Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences

VII. Evolution 

Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection

DNA and Mutation Review

Relationship of DNA to Evolution

Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review

Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation

The Geography of Speciation

Co-evolution vs. Competition

Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity

Human Evolution

Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories 

Variation and Selection: Lederberg Experiment

How is the one colony able to survive the toxic environment?

How and when did the adaptation arise?

Can you explain this experiment?

Fact 4Uniqueness

of IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & Wallace

Fact 5Heritability of Much

Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers Volpe 1985

Geography and Variation: Galapagos Turtles

How / Why do you think the turtle subspecies arose in the different volcanic craters spread out across the island?

Volpe 1985

Inference 3Through

Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace

Could these varieties become separate species? How or how not?

(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer these questions?)

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

VII. Evolution 

Introduction: The Mechanism of Evolution by Natural Selection

DNA and Mutation Review

Relationship of DNA to Evolution

Population Exponential Growth and Carrying Capacity - Review

Environment, Variation, Selection, and Adaptation

The Geography of Speciation

Co-evolution vs. Competition

Common Origin, Speciation and Diversity

Human Evolution

Pollution, Evolution, and the Future: Global Warming and Other Stories 

Competition and Co-evolution

http://www.microscope-microscope.org/

The graphs show the populations of 2 species of Paramecium (Protista) alone and together.

What explanations can you give to explain why the ‘alone’ populations level off?

How do the graphs illustrate the effects of competition?

How does this photograph illustrate co-evolution?

Allee et al. 1949

Are there evolutionary consequences of being too attractive . . . or not attractive enough?

What is the energy source that drives these organisms’ co-evolution?

Common Origin: Galapagos Finches

Inference 3Through

Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace

What abiotic or biotic factors have influenced the evolution of beak size and shape?

How do the facts and inferences of evolution by natural selection shape this story?

Volpe 1985

How does common origin relate to Homo sapiens?

Fact 1Potential

Exponential Increase of Populations

Observation

Inference 1Struggle for Existence

Among Individuals

Malthus

Fact 2Populations Are Steady

StateObservation

Fact 3Limitation of Resources

Malthus & Observation

Inference 3Through

Many Generations i.e. EvolutionDarwin & Wallace

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness of

IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

Mayr 1977

Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences

HIV in Humans

(Could HIV be a factor in human evolution, i.e. a cause for change in gene frequency?)

http://oddisgood.com/art/

What makes HIV different from a cell?

How could we stop HIV from making copies of itself?

What is a virus?

(Teacher Note: What does a student need to know to answer these questions?)

Fact 1Potential

Exponential Increase of Populations

Observation

Inference 1Struggle for Existence

Among Individuals

Malthus

Fact 2Populations Are Steady

StateObservation

Fact 3Limitation of Resources

Malthus & Observation

Inference 3Through

Many Generation

s i.e. Evolution

Darwin & Wallace

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & WallaceFact 4Uniqueness

of IndividualsObservation &

Farmers

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual VariationObservation &

Farmers Mayr 1977

Evolution by Natural Selection: Facts and Inferences

Fact 6?Changes in Environment

Is there a piece of the puzzle missing?

Is this important? Where would it come into play?

http://www.micro.utexas.edu/courses/levin/bio304/popgen/moths.gif

Pollution, Variation, and Adaptation: The Peppered Moth

What is the relationship between natural selection and the environment?

How do humans affect evolution by natural selection?

Inference 2Differential Survival i.e.

Natural Selection

Darwin & Wallace

Fact 5Heritability of

Much Individual Variation

Observation & Farmers

What would make these mutations heritable?

What might cause these variations in phenotype?

Pollution and Heritability: Developmental Deformities

Do these phenomena fit in the process of evolution by natural selection? Why or why not?

Volpe 1985

Volpe 1985

http://www.shrani.si/pics/slika2rkv62.jpg

http://www.2think.org/keeling_curve.shtml

Human Imprints and Global CO2 Levels

How might increased CO2 levels affect life processes?

How might changes in CO2 levels affect evolutionary events?

What biological variations might be selected for or against with increased CO2 levels?

What is the change in CO2 in the last 50 years?

Do these phenomena fit in the process of evolution by natural selection? Why or why not?

Ecosystem Earth:Where have we been? Where are we going?

http://fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep602/LEC1/10075945.jpg

To Do’s (Ideas)

• This outline on NESCent Web Site

• Curriculum paper: American Biology Teacher (In prep)

• Primer – 100 pages, Teacher and student guide: How to publish?

• Teacher Workshop – How to arrange?

• Classroom to ‘Experiment with?’ (Durham Elementary Science Director – ‘No’)

• Ideas?

Heredity 

I am the family face; Flesh perishes, I live on,Projecting trait and traceThrough time to times anon,And leaping from place to place Over oblivion. 

The years-heired feature that canIn curve and voice and eyeDespise the human spanOf durance – that is I;The eternal thing in man, That heeds no call to die. 

Thomas Hardy, in Moments of Vision