Background Information
As important as reading is, it certainly isn't the only way for students to take
in information. And the material that students read doesn't always have to be
chunks of black text on a static page. Use these digital resources because they
offer interesting and informative content—and use them because they draw on
images, animations, video clips, and, yes, some excellent readings to do so. We
suspect they'll provide slants on topics such as adaptations, sexual
reproduction, and Darwin that will help round out a student textbook's
treatment of evolution.
Evolution—it's the name of a groundbreaking, unifying theory in the life
sciences. It's also the straightforward title that PBS gave to a multipronged
project that includes this beefy web site, a TV series, a book, and more. If
you have access to the DVD or video set, use it in concert with the site. If
not, don't fret. The site has marvelous and marvelously free features (in
typical PBS fashion) that students can engage with to build their understanding
of evolution. The site's seven sections correspond to those of the TV series
and include titles like Darwin, Change, Extinctions, and Sex. Each section
contains two to four features (essays, simulations, and other interactive
features). These features, all called activities on the site, range from
excerpts of Darwin's writings to a game about the tree of life that challenges
students to decide which organisms are most closely related. Mine the features
that fit with the learning goals that you have for your students.
MSP full record
Note about the following two resources: Teachers' Domain offers a free
registration option. When you click to view the video or full image that
accompanies each reading, you will have three options: register, log in, or
view the material as a guest.
What does pollination have to do with evolution? Lots! Ask your students that
before and after they review this reading and accompanying video. Hopefully
they'll bring up the diversity of flower types, natural selection, and more. If
needed, take this opportunity to review the parts of a flower and the meaning
of the terms pollination and fertilization. Then turn students loose to read
the introductory material and to view the video clip (approximately three
minutes long). The reading highlights the significance of pollination and
describes pollination by wind and by animals. It explores a specific and
fascinating example of insect pollination that's featured in the video: the
male Thynnid wasp's pollination of hammer orchid flowers that appear and smell
to be female wasps. Footage of another interesting animal pollinator, an
Australian marsupial called the honey possum, is also featured. The Questions
for Discussion that follow the reading make great discussion starters or
writing prompts. MSP full record
Hooks, wings, and sweet fleshy wrappings are just a few of the adaptations that
have evolved in the plant kingdom to get seeds where they need to go. This
single-page illustrated reading introduces students to these kinds of
adaptations and to the primary agents that disperse seeds. Although the reading
level might be a bit challenging for young middle school students, the piece
offers an unintimidating explanation of how such adaptations might have
evolved. It also addresses why it's important for seeds to put down roots away
from their parents. MSP full record
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Copyright
June 2005 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work
supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any
opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of
the National Science Foundation.
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This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons License.
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