Digital Unit Plan Template

Unit Title: Exploring Evolution and organism

Name: Ronnie Nguyen

Content Area: Biology

Grade Level: 9th

CA Content Standard(s)/Common Core Standard(s):

HS-LS4-4. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation of populations.
[Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on using data to provide evidence for how specific biotic and abiotic differences in ecosystems
(such as ranges of seasonal temperature, long-term climate change, acidity, light, geographic barriers, or evolution of other organisms)
contribute to a change in gene frequency over time, leading to adaptation of populations.]
HS-LS4-5. Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in: (1) increases in
the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other
species. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on determining cause and effect relationships for how changes to the environment such
as deforestation, fishing, application of fertilizers, drought, flood, and the rate of change of the environment affect distribution or
disappearance of traits in species.]
HS-LS4-3. Apply concepts of statistics and probability to support explanations that organisms with an advantageous
heritable trait tend to increase in proportion to organisms lacking this trait. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on analyzing
shifts in numerical distribution of traits and using these shifts as evidence to support explanations.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment
is limited to basic statistical and graphical analysis. Assessment does not include allele frequency calculations.]
HS-LS1-4. Use a model to illustrate the role of cellular division (mitosis) and differentiation in producing and maintaining
complex organisms. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific gene control mechanisms or rote memorization of
the steps of mitosis.]
Big Ideas:

Genetic trait provides evidence of Evolution. Natural Selection occurs when variation in the genetic information between
organisms in a population. Traits that affect survival are sure to move on. Natural Selection leads to adaptation. Species
become extinct because they no longer can adapt to survive. Be able to recognize cell division and organisms. Be able to
point out phases of the cell cycle.

Unit Goals and Objectives:

Students will learn to analyze and interpret data.

Construct and design solutions.

Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information.

Explain laws, theories and natural phenomena.

Learn about organisms and cell division.

Learn about natural selection.

Unit Summary:

Students will apply concepts and theories to support organisms and changes over time. Students will be learning about Charles Darwin,
the father of evolution, and his trip to the Galapagos Island. We will understand why natural selection leads to adaptations in
populations. We will be evaluating why changes in climate leads to increase in number of species, decrease in numbers, population
boom and extinction of species. All of this will be done through experiments, lectures, power-points, projects and videos.

Assessment Plan:
Entry-Level:

Formative:

Summative:

Brainstorming- Getting to know prior

knowledge of the material before going into
the activity.

Flash Cards- Students will use flash cards to

enhance learning and memorization.
Quiz On Stages and definitions of
Mitosis.
Pop quiz- Random quizzes on the reading to
make sure students are reading.
Learning Logs- Keep notes on each slide as
we go through them throughout the unit.

Project- create on cardboard the

development of Mitosis
Class Presentation- Present your project to
the class.

Lesson 1
Student Learning
Objective:
Learn about mitosis
and the cell cycle

Acceptable Evidence:
Completing the
guided notes and
coming up with a
hypothesis and
conclusion.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:
View a presentation on Mitosis and go through the guided
notes and answer questions. Form hypothesis and come up
with a conclusion.

Acceptable Evidence:
Going through all
interactives and
completing the
worksheet provided.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Lesson Activities:
Go through interactives and answer questions to a
worksheet. Students should have a broader understanding of
Photosynthesis and DNA at the end.

Lesson 2
Student Learning
Objective:
From molecules to
organisms. Learn
about photosynthesis
and DNA

Lesson 3

Student Learning
Objective:
Learn about natural
selection and the
Galapagos.

Acceptable Evidence:
Know who Charles
Darwin is and the
Galapagos. Know
common descent and
descent with
modifications.

Instructional
Strategies:
Communication
Collection
Collaboration
Presentation
Organization
Interaction

Unit Resources:

http://www.wellcometreeoflife.org/interactive/
Tree of life.
http://www.cellsalive.com/mitosis.htm
Interactive with mitosis.
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/photosynthesis
Learning about photosynthesis.
http://www.genome.gov/25520880
Exploring DNA.
Useful Websites:

http://darwin200.christs.cam.ac.uk/pages/index.php?page_id=d3
Charles Darwin and Natural Selection.
http://sciencenetlinks.com/esheets/nowhere-to-hide/
Interactive with Natural Selection.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_01
Understanding evolution. UC Berkeley Study.
http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-evolution-timeline-interactive
Evolution Timeline.

Lesson Activities:
Go through a video and be able to create a concept map to
intake the information. Work independently.