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Human evolution, from apes to you! Y6 EVOLUTION AND INHERITANCE LESSON 6: Human evolution, from apes to you! www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Today you will learn How and why Homo Sapiens (the species that you belong to) evolved The differences and similarities between Homo Sapiens and other living things www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
STARTER QUESTION: What makes your body different to the bodies of other animals and why? Discuss with your partner. www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Here are some of THE ANSWERS you could have had: I am better looking than my brother I don’t have as many legs as spiders! My eyes face forwards instead of sideways. Here are some of THE ANSWERS you could have had: I don’t have as much fur as a bear. My teeth aren’t as sharp as a shark. I have a shorter neck than a giraffe. www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
But why? I am better looking than my brother Hmmm .. not sure about this one Because two legs are enough for me to survive with. I don’t have as many legs as spiders! Because I don’t have many predators to look out for. My eyes face forwards instead of sideways. But why? Because I wear clothes and my ancestors discovered fire! I don’t have as much fur as a bear. Because I am an omnivore and eat both vegetables and meat, so some of my teeth are flat for grinding. My teeth aren’t as sharp as a shark. Because I eat from the fridge and not high trees! I have a shorter neck than a giraffe. www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
So like every other living thing, your body has evolved throughout the history of life on Earth. This is mostly because of the changes in the landscape millions of years ago, when some of the primitive apes that would eventually evolve into us started to move from the trees to the land, like this .. www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Human evolution Our African ape ancestor Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Moving from the trees to the land Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Starting to walk upright Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Modern intelligent human beings Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Human evolution Hominidae 15m yrs Homo Habilis & others 2.8m yrs Homo Erectus 1.8m yrs Homo Sapiens 160,000 yrs www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
How the human body has evolved: THE BRAIN Uses 20% of your oxygen and blood Uses the 2nd highest calories after your digestive system An adult brain weighs 1.3kg www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
How the human body has evolved: THE pelvis Faces more forward than apes to allow forward, upright movement Thicker and wider to support an upright body www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
How the human body has evolved: THE hand Has longer thumbs (called OPPOSABLE THUMBS) than apes so that we can grip Our fingers are straight while apes are curved, which allows a wider grip www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
How the human body has evolved: THE foot Humans have a larger, stronger ankle than apes We have a foot arch that allows us to spring when we walk, run or jump www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
Tell the person next to you .. Learning check: Tell the person next to you .. How the human body has evolved over time Why these changes have happened www.primaryscienceworkshops.co.uk
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