Lesson Plan Template
Name of Lesson/Unit:
Grade Level:
Prepared by:
Section 1: Lesson Summary
Topic:
NGSS Performance
Expectation:
MS-LS4-4. Construct
an explanation based
on evidence that
describes how genetic
variations of traits in
a population increase
some individuals’
probability of
surviving and
reproducing in an
environment.
Crosscutting
Concept:
Cause and Effect:
Phenomena may have
more than one cause,
and some cause and
effect relationships in
systems can only be
described using
probability.
Patterns: Graphs,
charts, and images can
be used to identify
patterns in data.
Engineering
Practices:
Constructing
Explanations and
Designing Solutions:
Construct an
Natural Selection
7th Grade
Lesson Plan Template
explanation that
includes qualitative or
quantitative
relationships between
variables that describe
phenomena. (MSLS4-4)
Common Core State
Standards
(Reading):
RST.6-8.7. Integrate
quantitative or
technical information
expressed in words in
a text with a version
of that information
expressed visually
(e.g. in a flowchart,
diagram, model,
graph, or table).
Common Core State
Standards (Writing):
WHST.6-8.2: Write
informative/explanato
ry texts to examine a
topic and convey
ideas, concepts, and
information through
the selection,
organization and
analysis of relevant
content.
Current CA Science
Standards:
3a. Students know
both genetic variation
and environmental
factors are causes of
evolution and
diversity of
Lesson Plan Template
organisms.
Objectives of the
Lesson or Unit:
1. Students will
predict which
organisms have higher
probability of survival
and reproduction in
response to changes in
an environment.
2. Students will
explain how natural
selection causes
population to change.
3. Students will relate
environmental change
to changes organisms,
e.g. genetic variations.
4. Students will
construct a model that
would provide the
evidence to explain
how genetic variation
affect an individual’s
probability of
surviving.
How is this objective
relevant to students?
This is relevant to
students because it
will enable them to
explain only certain
traits are predominant
in a certain
environment. They
will also the concept
of natural selection to
the chances of
survival of organisms
given the amount of
available resources
Lesson Plan Template
and the type of
environment. For
example, the effect of
pollution to humans
or the effect of the
scarcity of food to the
population of
organisms.
Culminating
Assessment (How
will you know
students have met the
Performance
Expectation?)
Describe the
assessment and attach
a copy.
Students will create a
model to show how
artificial and natural
selection from traits
gives organisms
(individuals) the
advantage in survival
and reproduction.
Students are going to
create a model to
show organisms’ rate
of survival in a given
environment.
What has been
taught in my class to
prepare students for
this topic?
Students have been
taught about Punnett
Lesson Plan Template
Squares and how to
predict the probability
of the traits in the
organisms.
Description of the
Lesson/Unit (Use the
following Table)
With 5 E (How
People Learn in
Mind!)
Short description of activity
Purpose/Intention for the activity or Key
Learning
●
How does this activity build student
knowledge and skills towards meeting the
Performance Expectation?
● Identify at least 1 Practice
Engage:
Reading the article about
industrial melanism
Explore:
Simulation/Hands-on: Natural
Selection in Action
Students will know that changes in the
environment result to a change in the
population of organisms.
Students will
Explain:
Elaborate:
Evaluate:
Section 2: Laboratory/ Hands-on Lesson
Content Objective:
Students will predict which traits will become predominant in a group of individuals in a certain
environment.
Language Objective:
Students will explain how certain traits that result from natural selection can give an individual
an advantage in survival and reproduction.
Assessment:
How will I know students met the objective?
Rubric:
Lesson Plan Template
Description of lesson: Hands Activity – Natural Selection in Action
Students will act as predators in a moth simulation in order to determine how natural selection
work. They will determine which traits will give a moth an advantage when its environment
changes and use Punnett Square to predict the traits of the offspring of the moths with dominant
traits.
Time required for the lesson:
Two 55-minute class period
Materials/ Preparation needed:
Simulation Environment (light-colored boxes, dark-colored boxes)
Moths (light and dark-colored)
Reading Article (Industrial Melanism)
Description of Student
Task (each step)
Time Needed
for Students to
complete each
Task
Teacher Notes
(Include
strategies/questions to
check for understanding)
Section 3: Science Literacy
Content Objective:
Language Objective:
Assessment: How will I know students met the objective?
Accommodation/Modification for
Student Access and Extension (i.e.
strategies for EL and extensions
for GATE)
Lesson Plan Template
Rubric:
Description of lesson:
Time required for the lesson:
Materials/ Preparation needed:
Description of
Student Task (each
step)
Time
Teacher Notes
Needed
(Include strategies/questions
for
to check for understanding)
Students
to
complete
each
Task
Accommodation/Modification
for Student Access and
Extension (i.e. strategies for
EL and extensions for GATE)
Section 4: Student Pages
Please provide a printer/copier friendly student pages for Section 2 and Section 3.
Notes/Criteria for Feedback
Grade Band Rigor (page 45)
Grade 6 -8: Both natural and artificial selection result from certain traits giving some
individuals an advantage in survival and reproduction, leading to predominance of certain traits
in population.