1. Silently, Independently
Do Now
Silently, Independently

2. Let’s go over it!
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist responsible for the theory of evolution. On the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, close to the equator, there are a variety of different finches, which vary in the shape and size of their beaks. It appears that the finches colonized the Islands from mainland South America, and then diverged in form. The distance between the islands meant that the finches on different islands could not interbreed, so the populations on the different island tended to become distinct. Different populations also became specialized for different food sources, birds with thin, sharp beaks eating insects and birds with large, sturdy beaks eating nuts. Darwin collected some of these finches when he visited the Galapagos Islands, and it is often stated that the finches were key to the development of his theory of evolution.
1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? Write in a complete sentence.
2. Explain what the following quote means in full sentences. “Different populations also became specialized for different food sources.”
3. What can you infer about the theory of evolution?

3. Let’s go over it!
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist responsible for the theory of evolution. On the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, close to the equator, there are a variety of different finches, which vary in the shape and size of their beaks. It appears that the finches colonized the Islands from mainland South America, and then diverged in form. The distance between the islands meant that the finches on different islands could not interbreed, so the populations on the different island tended to become distinct. Different populations also became specialized for different food sources, birds with thin, sharp beaks eating insects and birds with large, sturdy beaks eating nuts. Darwin collected some of these finches when he visited the Galapagos Islands, and it is often stated that the finches were key to the development of his theory of evolution.
1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? Write in a complete sentence.
Darwin discovered various species of finches that originated from the same species on the Galapagos Islands. The most important adaptation was beak shape and size.
2. Explain what the following quote means in full sentences. “Different populations also became specialized for different food sources.”
3. What can you infer about the theory of evolution?

4. Let’s go over it!
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist responsible for the theory of evolution. On the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, close to the equator, there are a variety of different finches, which vary in the shape and size of their beaks. It appears that the finches colonized the Islands from mainland South America, and then diverged in form. The distance between the islands meant that the finches on different islands could not interbreed, so the populations on the different island tended to become distinct. Different populations also became specialized for different food sources, birds with thin, sharp beaks eating insects and birds with large, sturdy beaks eating nuts. Darwin collected some of these finches when he visited the Galapagos Islands, and it is often stated that the finches were key to the development of his theory of evolution.
1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? Write in a complete sentence.
Darwin discovered various species of finches that originated from the same species on the Galapagos Islands. The most important adaptation was beak shape and size.
2. Explain what the following quote means in full sentences. “Different populations also became specialized for different food sources.”
Some of the bird species changed beak size and shape over time to be able to gather food sources more easily based on their environment.
3. What can you infer about the theory of evolution?

5. Let’s go over it!
Charles Robert Darwin was an English naturalist and geologist responsible for the theory of evolution. On the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, close to the equator, there are a variety of different finches, which vary in the shape and size of their beaks. It appears that the finches colonized the Islands from mainland South America, and then diverged in form. The distance between the islands meant that the finches on different islands could not interbreed, so the populations on the different island tended to become distinct. Different populations also became specialized for different food sources, birds with thin, sharp beaks eating insects and birds with large, sturdy beaks eating nuts. Darwin collected some of these finches when he visited the Galapagos Islands, and it is often stated that the finches were key to the development of his theory of evolution.
1. What is the main idea of this paragraph? Write in a complete sentence.
Darwin discovered various species of finches that originated from the same species on the Galapagos Islands. The most important adaptation was beak shape and size.
2. Explain what the following quote means in full sentences. “Different populations also became specialized for different food sources.”
Some of the bird species changed beak size and shape over time to be able to gather food sources more easily based on their environment.
3. What can you infer about the theory of evolution?
The theory of evolution involves species changing over time to better fit to their environment for survival purposes.

6. How did we do on the Do Now?

8. Battle of the Beaks
Today we will see how a population changes over time based on their ability to survive in a changing environment.

9. We have a single population of finches
We have a single population of finches. However, some of the birds have smaller beaks than other birds. Which beak size do you think will be better and gathering seeds and surviving in there environment?

10. Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion
We have a single population of finches. However, some of the birds have smaller beaks than other birds. Which beak size do you think will be better and gathering seeds and surviving in there environment?

11. Small beak (paper towel, popsicle sticks, rubber band)
Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Small beak (paper towel, popsicle sticks, rubber band)
Large Beak (paper towel, popsicle sticks, rubber band)
2 paper plates (one island, one stomach)
Timer
Cup of seeds (large and small beans)

12. Normal Year
In this test, your finch stays alive by gathering seeds on the “island” and collecting them in your “stomach.” You will have one minute to gather up as much food as you can. Decide who will use the big beak and who will use the small beak. Write each name on the Normal Year data table.
In a normal year, there is a mix of large and small seeds. Prepare a seed supply for a normal year grabbing an equal pile of large and small seeds then scattering them on the island (the center paper plate). Each bird needs another plate to act as the stomach.
Grab a few seeds and practice with your beak.
When the timer says go the testers will have one minute to use the beak to put as many seeds as possible in the stomach.
When the minute is up, count the seeds that you gathered. Record the performance for your beak on the Normal Year data table. Repeat the exercise for two more trials.
Find the average seeds collected by each bird during the normal year.
Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion

13. How did we do on the Battle of the Beaks: Normal Year?

14. Drought Year
One year no rain came to the island. Many plants failed to bloom and produce new seeds. All the medium ground finches ate the small, soft seeds first, leaving mostly large, tough seeds, so now big seeds dominate the menu.
Prepare a seed supply for a drought year by leaving 20 large seeds: and only 4 small seeds on the island.
When the timer says go the testers will have one minute to use the beak to put as many seeds as possible in the stomach.
When the minute is up, count the seeds that you gathered. Record the performance for your beak on the Normal Year data table. Repeat the exercise for two more trials.
Find the average seeds collected by each bird during the normal year.
Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion

15. How did we do on the Battle of the Beaks: Drought Year?

16. Which beak size gathered the most seeds in a normal year
Which beak size gathered the most seeds in a normal year? Why do you think this happened? Write in complete sentences. 
Which beak size gathered the most seeds in a drought year? Why do you think this happened? Write in complete sentences. 
Was your hypothesis supported by the data? Why or why not? Write in complete sentences. 
Which bird would be more likely to survive a change in environment (drought)? How do you know? Write in complete sentences.
Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion

17. “Natural selection” occurs when the environment favors or selects some traits over others. You have tested two variations of beaks, large and small. In the drought environment, which beak variation is favored? Why? Write a CER paragraph using number evidence from above.
Testable Question
Testable Hypothesis
Variables
Materials
Procedure
Data Table
Data Analysis
Conclusion

18. How did we do on the lab report?

19. While you watch the video… Exit Ticket