What is Evolution? A brief and simplified introduction to an extremely complex theory. By Lizzette Menendez

Unit Questions  What is evolution?  How does it work?  What’s the evidence?  Should there be a controversy?  What is evolution?  How does it work?  What’s the evidence?  Should there be a controversy?

Lesson Progression  Assess prior knowledge  Addressing the first two unit questions  Evidence Research Project  Prepare for a formal debate  Discuss controversy  Final Assessment  Assess prior knowledge  Addressing the first two unit questions  Evidence Research Project  Prepare for a formal debate  Discuss controversy  Final Assessment

What is your own view?  Students will be given the opportunity to write about their prior knowledge of the subject.  This information will not be shared with the rest of the class  Immediately after the paper is due, we will look at the Creation/ Evolution continuum.Creation/ Evolution continuum  Students will be given the opportunity to write about their prior knowledge of the subject.  This information will not be shared with the rest of the class  Immediately after the paper is due, we will look at the Creation/ Evolution continuum.Creation/ Evolution continuum

Essential Question  Is Evolution really a "thing?“  Here, we begin our journey.journey  Is Evolution really a "thing?“  Here, we begin our journey.journey

What is evolution? How does it work?  Students will use the links provided in addition to any they find through the internet (websites, journal articles, etcetera) to answer the first two questions.  As a class, we will discuss what information students have found.  Students will use the links provided in addition to any they find through the internet (websites, journal articles, etcetera) to answer the first two questions.  As a class, we will discuss what information students have found.

Evidence Research Activity  Students will accumulate in groups.  Each group will research a type of evidence used to support this theory.  Examples include: Paleontology, Genetics, Embryology  Each group will create a visual (PowerPoint presentation, poster board, etc.) and give a formal presentation to the class.  Students will accumulate in groups.  Each group will research a type of evidence used to support this theory.  Examples include: Paleontology, Genetics, Embryology  Each group will create a visual (PowerPoint presentation, poster board, etc.) and give a formal presentation to the class.

Formal Debate and Discussion  Research both sides of this Evolution controversy.  The class will be randomly divided in half and students will be assigned a side for the debate  Plenty of research is needed to back up all arguments and counter arguments.  Afterwards, we will discuss have a discussion:  How did you feel debating this subject?  Did anything you heard surprise you?  Do you have any more pressing questions?  Should there be such a big controversy?  Then, we will watch the Bill Nye and Kevin Ham debate.Bill Nye and Kevin Ham debate  Research both sides of this Evolution controversy.  The class will be randomly divided in half and students will be assigned a side for the debate  Plenty of research is needed to back up all arguments and counter arguments.  Afterwards, we will discuss have a discussion:  How did you feel debating this subject?  Did anything you heard surprise you?  Do you have any more pressing questions?  Should there be such a big controversy?  Then, we will watch the Bill Nye and Kevin Ham debate.Bill Nye and Kevin Ham debate

Final Assessment  Write a essay explaining your view of Evolution.  Are they any different than when we started? Why or Why Not?  Incorporate things you have learned during the course of this unit!  Write a essay explaining your view of Evolution.  Are they any different than when we started? Why or Why Not?  Incorporate things you have learned during the course of this unit!