COMMON ANCESTRY UNIT

What is a fossil and how are they formed? How did the first life on Earth evolve into multicellular life, the first plant, the
first animal, the first predator, the first to live on land? What are the key moments in the development of the huge diversity of
life that has lived on planet Earth? How does the history of life result in the biodiversity existing today? How does the history of
life relate to the common ancestry among that exists between all living organisms? How do the specific eras/geologic time
periods of Earths history impact and connect to the common ancestry among all living organisms?
The answers to these questions and many more can be found in a common ancestry that many scientist believe exists
between all living organisms (extinct and still living).

Objective:
Write an informative piece describing and explaining this concept of a common ancestry existing between all living
organisms utilizing each of the activities completed in this unit. Be sure to identify and acknowledge differing ideas by
acknowledging whether you agree and/or disagree with this concept of a common ancestry existing between all living
organisms.
Informative piece must include evidence and supportive details from each of the activities completed in this unit.
Informative piece must be at least 5 paragraphs in length, including the following:
(1) Introduction Paragraph introduce concept of common ancestry, do you agree &/or disagree
(2) Body Paragraph reason #1 and evidence to support
(3) Body Paragraph reason #2 and evidence to support
(4) Body Paragraph reason #3 and evidence to support
(5) Conclusion Paragraph

Directions:
There will be a total of four different activities completed in this unit. The activities in this unit must be completed in the
order below. The schedule for this unit and the due date for each corresponding assignment is as follows.
April 11 - 13:
Getting into the Fossil Record Interactive Module
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/fossil/index.html
Getting into the Fossil Record Worksheet DUE: Wednesday April 13

April 13 - 18:
First Life - Origin of Life Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCeHQfCjgJM
First Life Origin of Life Worksheet DUE: Monday April 18

April 18 - 20:
Life Has a History Interactive Module
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explorations/tours/intro/index.html
Life Has a History Worksheet DUE: Wednesday April 20

April 20 27:
A Trip Through Geologic Time Web Quest (research and brochure creation)
http://questgarden.com/186/83/5/160208181302/
Specific Era/Geologic Time Period Brochure DUE: Wednesday April 27

April 27 29:
A Trip Through Geologic Time Web Quest (class presentations)
http://questgarden.com/186/83/5/160208181302/
Class Presentations of Brochure (specific era/geologic time period) DUE: Wednesday April 27
Friday April 29

May 2 4:
Common Ancestry Unit Summative Evaluation
Research Simulation Task (summative evaluation) DUE: Wednesday May 4