Life Has a History
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Suggested lesson plans

There is no single right way for teachers to use Life Has a History.

For grades K-4: We recommend a guided classroom experience at this grade level. Consider projecting the module on a single screen at the front of the classroom, and going through it as a class with time for discussion.

For grades 5-12: You can use the module as an introduction to biological evolution and the history of life, or as a means of tying such concepts together at the end of a unit. This is an excellent way to introduce concepts dealing with inheritance, variety, and what fossils can tell us about life in the past. Although Life Has a History can be completed in a single class period, its greatest value for grades 5-12 is as a part of a larger unit on evolution. As such, it can be expanded to a three (or more) day lesson plan that incorporates class discussion, review, and assessment, followed by additional activities appropriate for your classroom.

We have provided two potential approaches for grades 5-12 below, depending on whether the tour is used as an introduction or a concluding activity. These approaches draw on the experiences of teachers who have used Life Has a History in a variety of classroom settings. They found that in general, students benefit most if:

  • Students work in teams of two per computer to allow students to read and share ideas with one another as they proceed.
  • There is time for class discussion of major concepts.

Links to resources at each of the two grade levels are embedded within the lesson plans where they are mentioned. Focus Questions can be used to encourage students to stay on task, or to initiate class discussion. See Assessment Materials for keys to tests and Focus Questions.

Using Life Has a History as an introduction.

DAY 1. Introduction

  • Describe the objectives and activities of the lesson to students.
  • Give students the Life Has a History Pre-Test. This is available for two grade spans: Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12.
  • Brainstorm with your students to "get their wheels turning," so that they are ready to think about the topic. Some possible questions are: (a) How many species exist today? (b)Why does life today look different from life in the past? (c)What is evolution and how does it work? (d)What can we learn from fossils?

DAY 2. Life Has a History

  • Students complete the module. [Option: you may select to use the Focus Questions to guide them. These are available for two grade spans: Grades 5-8 and Key; Grades 9-12 and Key]

DAY 3. Class Discussion and Review

  • Students review the information learned in the tour.
  • Students complete the Life has a History Post-Test. These are available for two grade spans: Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12.

Day 4 and beyond: Complete specific lessons to address each concept.

  • We recommend providing students with activities that address each major concept presented in the module. Suggested activities can be viewed at Related activities.

Using Life Has a History as way to tie concepts together at the end of a unit.

DAY 1. Life Has a History

  • Students complete the module.
    [Option: You may select to use the Focus Questions to guide them. These are available for two grade spans: Grades 5-8 and Key; Grades 9-12 and Key]

DAY 2. Class Discussion and Review

  • Students review the information learned in the tour.
  • Students complete the Life has a History Post-Test. This is available for two grade spans: Grades 5-8 and Grades 9-12)

To Handouts