Laney Lee
If you’re looking for an evidence for evolution worksheet, then you’ve come to the right place! First I’ll introduce you to some fabulous, time tested resources that I’ve already prepared to make lesson planning, tutoring, or homework time a whole lot easier.
Next, I’ll give you some ideas on ways to use these resources to increase engagement in your classroom and to make learning fun for you and your students.
What is the evidence of evolution?
Charles Darwin developed his theory of “descent with modification,” now known as evolutionary theory after his trip around the world in the 1600s. On his journey, he examined different species as well as fossils to determine the origin of species. In Darwin’s time, most people believed in special creation, or the idea that all species were created by God in their present forms. In the Galapagos Islands off the coast of South America, however, Darwin began to think differently. He argued that different species evolve from one another, sharing a common ancestry.
Further evidence of evolution includes comparative anatomy and comparative embryology. These fields involve the examination of similar structures with different functions (such as a human arm and a bird’s wing), early development, vertebrate embryos, and unused structures to shed light on the evolutionary history of vertebrates. Most scientists believe that similar anatomical structures (showing at any stage of life) give evidence of relatedness between species. That is to say, the more alike two anatomies, the more similarity is believed to be present in their DNA and amino acid sequences.
Many of Darwin’s earliest ideas have been proven through modern molecular biology and the examination of genetic material. Scientists today have solid evidence that evolutionary change is occurring in species alive today and those that existed in the past.
Evidence for Evolution Reading Worksheet
Do your students struggle with scientific literacy? Do you find yourself at a loss for how to promote vocabulary retention? Are waning attention spans becoming a larger and larger problem in your classroom from year to year? If you answered yes to any of those questions then this resource is for you.
TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION WORKSHEET INCLUDE:
- Charles Darwin & natural selection
- fossil evidence
- anatomy: homologous structures, analogous structures, vestigial structures, and embryology
- biogeography
- DNA evidence
- direct observation
Evidence for Evolution Google Slides lesson
Are you tired of teaching with presentations that look like they were probably created on a computer running Windows 95? Are you ready to move past the “sit and get” style of whole group instruction? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then this resource is for you!
I spent almost a decade fighting to keep students entertained. By the end of the day, I was exhausted and the kids were bored. I created this line of interactive lessons to solve that problem for myself and hopefully for you too.
Keep your students engaged and accountable with this interactive, versatile evidence for evolution presentation. Embedded frequently within these 36 colorful slides are multiple stopping points that require students to predict, reflect, connect, and think critically about the information being presented.
There are a variety of softwares you can use (such as Nearpod and Peardeck) that connect to Google Slides to ensure student participation. Alternatively, you could also simply assign each student a copy of this presentation and have them type in the slides directly.
Similarly, I want resources that could be used in person, face to face, hybrid, and virtual. My Google Slides lessons are designed to be compatible with multiple styles of teaching, and are perfect for teaching, reteaching, or even sending to absent students.
THE TOPICS COVERED IN THIS PRESENTATION INCLUDE:
- Biogeography
- Microevolution
- Fossils & geologic time
- Comparative Anatomy
- Examples of vestigial structures
- Embryology
- DNA Evidence
- Cladograms
- Convergent/Divergent Evolution
Evidence for Evolution Webquest
Looking for an extension activity for your evolution unit? Do you need a straightforward activity that students can complete without too much teacher assistance? This cancer webquest is the perfect resource for you!
In this Darwin, Natural Selection, & Evolution webquest, students will explore Darwin’s voyage using a Khan Academy article. Questions are related to the reading to ensure comprehension and deeper thinking.
Evidence for Evolution research project
This resource includes a project description and rubric for a research project on the evidence for evolution.
Students are instructed to make 2 slides on each topic. One slide describing what this topic is, and a second slide discussing how this topic contributes to the Theory of Evolution.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE:
- Fossils
- Homologous Structures
- Analogous Structures
- Vestigial Structures
- Embryology
- DNA Evidence
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Evidence for Evolution – Research Project$2.50
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Evolution Unit Plan$0.00
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Evidence for Evolution Google Slides Interactive Presentation$4.00
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Evidence for Evolution – Reading Comprehension Worksheets$4.00
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Evolution & Natural Selection Presentation – Google Slides$4.00
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Evolution Virtual Lab$5.00
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Darwin, Natural Selection, & Evolution Webquest$3.50
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Darwin, Natural Selection, & Evolution – Reading Comprehension Worksheets$4.00
Unsure about purchasing an Evidence for Evolution worksheet?
Let me try to convince you that the products I’m offering are worth your hard earned cash. (Or you can always apply for reimbursement through your school.)
I work hard so you don’t have to. Finding useful resources for your lesson is a lot of work. Making them is even more work. Whenever I can, I always trade money for time. A couple dollars to reimburse another classroom teacher for their efforts in creating valuable resources is seen as a fair trade according to thousands of positive reviews.
My resources are high quality. Most of my resources come in both PDF and digital format to support you in face to face, virtual, or hybrid learning models. Having multiple representations is always useful for differentiation. My resources also include an easy to use answer key and high quality image, graphics, and explanations where needed.
All of my resources are guaranteed. That means that if you’re unhappy with your purchase, I will fully refund you. My email is listed on the last page of every resource. All you have to do is send me a quick note about your experience and I can resolve the issue or refund you..
How to Use the Evidence for Evolution worksheet with Answer Key
Emergency Sub Plans
If you’re feeling a little sick and need a day to rest, the Evidence for Evolution Webquest would be an excellent way to allow students to work on their own (either digitally or on paper) without a lot of speaking required on your part. To make things even better, you’ll be supporting literacy in the classroom too!
Independent Work Station
Stations are a great way to make a long class feel shorter or a large class feel smaller. Split your class into groups based on the number of stations you have. One of your stations can be a setting that allows you to work closely with some students, and other groups should have work that can be completely independently. This will give you the opportunity to give the students who need support your full attention. Don’t forget that you can do stations online too!
Close Reading Strategies
Close reading is an essential skill that must be taught in all classrooms. Time and time again, students are showing that they are not prepared to read college level texts. Spoon feeding them isn’t going to solve this issue. We absolutely must increase the rigor in our classrooms when it comes to literacy, and teaching reading strategies is the path that will take our students where they need to be.
Differentiation
Differentiation can feel like a huge burden for teachers. How are we supposed to create several different variations of the same lesson or activity? In reality, we probably can’t. What we can do, though, is provide independent work packets for students who are not able to be present for direct instruction. We can make choice boards in which students will most likely differentiate for themselves, we can provide extension activities for early finishers, and we can provide extra practice for students who aren’t showing mastery.
Homework
I know as teachers we hear a lot about the benefits and drawbacks of homework. Whether or not you’re in support of homework, I’d just like to point out that it’s there as an option. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Interactive Notebooks
Interactive notebooks are unmatched in their ability to keep students organized and work in one place. I’m a huge fan of shrinking my worksheets down to fit in an interactive notebook. Sometimes I print 2 in one, cut them in half and just glue the sheets directly into pages of a notebook. Other times I transform multi-page PDFs into mini books (use these simple instructions if you’d like to try it) and insert the entire thing into a notebook.
Assessment
Whether summative or formative, consider using these resources as an option for assessment
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