University of Arkansas

College of Education
Lesson Plan Format

Unit Title: Among the Wild Lesson Title: Natural Selection
Subject Area: Science Grade Level: 6-8
Duration of Lesson: 1-1 days Date(s)
Name: Jennifer Sanchez COE Course: ENGL 3403

I. Standard(s) and Objective(s)

Standard(s)

MS-LS4-4.
WHST.6-8.1
WHST.6-8.4
RST.6-8.1
RST.6-8.3

Objective(s)
Students will be able to explain how genetic variation increases the chances of
survival and reproduction of certain individuals. Students will zoom in on traits of a
species.
Students will be able to explain logical reasoning and evidence from text to support
their claims in argumentative piece.
Students will develop an argument using style, organization, and clear writing.
Students will be able to select evidence from text to support their claims.
Students will be able to interpret written multi-step instructions and carry them out
during an experiment.


II. Assessment

Pre-assessment (before planning lesson)
Exit Slip week before asking students if they have ever heard about natural
selection. If they have, where have they heard about it? What is it about?

Post-assessment
1. Homework argument (summative)
2. Observations handout (summative)
3. Walk around while groups conduct experiment (formative)
4. Class discussion of findings (formative)
III. Planning
1. Review 504 or IEP
2. Assign groups strengths and weaknesses
3. Make sure traits, adaptation and genetic variation are on word wall
4. Visuals- for visual learners, ELLs, and disabled learners
5. Inquiry based group activity




IV. Engaging the Learner
1. Show introductory video on natural selection.
2. Show prop (visual) of an animal that has evolved.
3. Display passage from Life of Pi about how animals adapt to surrounding on Elmo.
Pg. 40.


V. Methods, Activities and Resources
Methods
1. Natural selection clip
2. Read Passage from Life of Pi
3. Prop of evolved animal (visual)
4. Pass out 1
st
handout
5. Explain directions( bug hunt in sand)
6. Allow students to develop a hypothesis on 1
st
handout
7. Conduct experiment (bug Hunt)
8. While students conduct observation formally assess groups
9. 10 min warning to wrap up
10. Discuss observations/ answers to questions from 1st handout
11. Discuss natural selection, evolution, and adaption. Refer to word wall.
12. Let students write new terms in journal for reference.
13. Hand in Observations
14. Closure- Address questions.
15. Closure-homework-have students write a small argument as to why
students think the Life of Pi animals and Pi survive for as long as they do on
the boat. What traits let them live longer?
16. Address words on wall for this homework-tiger, orangutan, hyena,
carnivorous, vegetarian, adapt, predator
17. Distribute graphic organizer for trait ideas.


Activities
1. Bug Hunt in Sandbox

Resources
1. Sand
2. Sandboxes
3. Plastic Bugs of different sizes and color (red, grey, yellow, big clear, and
small clear)
4. Graphic organizers for homework and observations
5. Instructions handouts and questions
6. Video http://www.neok12.com/video/Natural-
Selection/zX50624f5e5b6b6f63637a7b.htm
7. Life of Pi passage
8. Elmo
9. Smartboard to show video
10. Prop of an evolved animal
11. Back up video http://www.neok12.com/video/Natural-
Selection/zX430f005f400262740c5f73.htm



VI. Potential Adaptations to the Lesson {PAL}
1. If finish early.give traits to bug that was found first. How improve its survival?
2. If video fails here is another link http://www.neok12.com/video/Natural-
Selection/zX430f005f400262740c5f73.htm
3. If technology fails read passage aloud from book to class, skip video and go directly to
prop, and explain natural selection with prop.
VII. Collaboration
1. Collaborate with Math teacher to do probability calculations in his/her class. The
observations could be done in Science class but actual calculations from the observations
be done in Math class. Math teacher could take calculations to an upper level or apply
to class content.
2. Guest Speaker from Nature center discuss survival attributes of each animal from Life of
Pi.

VIII. Reflection and efficacy (to be completed after teaching this lesson)