Title of Lesson
Evolution and Animal Behavior
Plan:
Anticipated
Instructional One 50-minute class period
Time:
This lesson will give students a better understanding of the relationship
between evolution and animal behavior. This relationship is a key
Enduring
Understanding aspect of evolution and will allow students to make later connections to
real-world evolutionary relationships. Several video examples will
:
show application of Darwin’s theories.
This lesson is for students to understand animal behavior from an
evolutionary perspective. Behaviors in animals relate directly with the
“survival of the fittest” concept and when students see this connection,
Rationale:
they will be able to predict changes in behavior. Additionally,
understanding animal behavior helps students understand the natural
world around them.
Goal 1 - To relate animal behaviors with evolutionary concepts and
theories.
Goals of the
Goal 2 – To apply the process of evolution to animal behaviors and
Lesson:
changes in this behavior.
Objective 1 - The student will be able to analyze video examples and
look for the role evolution plays in the formation and changes in animal
behaviors.
Objectives:
Objective 2 – The student will be able to compare the behavior of
human beings to animals from an evolutionary perspective.
9-12.N.1.2. (Synthesis) Students are able to describe the role of
observation and evidence in the development and modification of
hypotheses, theories, and laws.
SD K-12
Content
Standards:
9-12.L.3.1A. (Synthesis) Students are able to relate genetic, instinct,
and behavior patterns to biodiversity and survival of species.
9-12.L.2.2. (Synthesis) Describe how genetic recombination,
mutations, and natural selection lead to adaptations, evolution,
extinction, or the emergence of new species.
Powerpoint Presentation
Instructional
Materials:
Presentation Notes (Lesson Script)
Dsc.discovery.com videos
Discovery “Evolution Game”
Participant
Materials:
References
Pencil and Notebook
Textbook
http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/g-cziko/twd/pdf/twd07.pdf
- Site is used as an outline for the lesson
- Contains Darwin’s ideas on many concepts in animal behavior
- Contains examples of behaviors
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/top-10-bloodsuckers-vampirefinches.html
- Shows the evolution of “instinctive” behavior
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/life-cheetahs-hunt-ostrich.html
- Same purpose as above video.
http://news.discovery.com/videos/news-lizards-show-evolution-inaction.html
- Evolution in action
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/planet-earth-shallow-seas-dolphinwaves.html
Shows cooperation in hunting techniques.
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/planet-earth-ice-worlds-antarcticpenguin-fathers.html
Shows cooperation for survival in a freezing environment.
http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.htm
l
This is an interactive online game. It shows how the environment
fuels evolution through natural selection. It also contains a quiz.
Lesson Script:
Evolution and Animal Behavior
Note: The attached powerpoint follows this outline and includes video examples of
the behaviors discussed below.
I.
Behavior
a. Instinctive (migrations, hibernation, mating rituals)
Darwin’s theory of evolution supports the idea that a natural variation in
animal behavior led to the continuation of helpful behaviors and the halting of
harmful ones. Behaviors that differ from the normal behavior, but are
effective can be seen as instinctive behaviors that were acquired due to the
natural variation of individuals within a species.
b. Learned (Avoiding predators, hunting techniques, finding where water is)
These behaviors are not passed on from generation to generation, but are
instead learned throughout the life of the organism. Behaviors are consistent
for all individuals and were not present at birth.
II.
Effect of environment on behavior
a. Constantly changing environment forces evolution, OR…
b. Natural variation in animal behavior leads to evolution
*** The question is, do animals change as a result of the environment, OR do
animals have natural genetic variation that leads to different behaviors which can
evolve into instinctive behaviors? Darwin sides with the second option.
When a goose egg hatches, the gosling must find its mother. What is the gosling’s
way of determining where its mother is? First moving object is thought to be its
mother. In captivity this can cause the gosling to think that anything it sees moving first
is its mother.
III.
Effects of Other Organisms
a. Predation
b. Competition by different species (such as the many big cats of Africa)
IV.
Altruism and Cooperation
a. “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” mentality
b. Working together is the best means of survival
V.
Mutualism
a. Both animals benefit from the relationship
b. Think about the cleaner fish and the shark, or pollinating animals (bees)
VI.
Evolution Online Quiz and Game
http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/darwin/darwin.html