SBI3U:
Evolution of a Species Storybook
EVV.01 evaluate the impact of environmental changes on natural selection and endangered species;
EVV.03 demonstrate an understanding of the theory of evolution, the evidence that supports it, and some of the
mechanisms by which it occurs.
Pick one of the following environmental changes and the associated organism:
 Evolution of Jack Pine and how reduced forest fires will impact evolution
 Evolution of monarch butterflies and how a reduction in milkweed habitat due to urbanization will affect
evolution
 Evolution of inland carp species and how introduction of viruses and bacteria will affect evolution
 Evolution of polar bears/or seals and how global warming, reduced ice flows will affect evolution
 Evolution of bass species how acid rain, acidification of lakes will affect evolution
 Coevolution of bees and flowers, and how the disappearance of bees/flowers will affect evolution
 Evolution of dinosaurs and how the environment changed after Chixulub affecting species
 Evolution of grizzly bears and how habitat fragmentation will alter evolution
 Evolution of elephants and how habitat loss/overhunting will affect evolution
 Evolution of armadillos and how climate change will affect evolution
 Choose your own animal/environmental impact (Check with Mr. Charlebois before proceeding)
Part 1: Research
 How did your organism evolve? Include specific details (ranges, adaptations, survival, ancestral species,
environmental, competition...etc)
 How will changes in today’s environment affect the evolution of your species. NOTE: you will be able to
research some basic impacts of the environmental changes; however, this part of your story will inolve your
thinking and applying concepts...how will the species change...become adapted to new conditions.
Part 2: Write a children’s story book OR Comic (www.bitstripsforschools.com )
Carefully think about the organism’s environment. Think about the organism’s life cycle and day to day life. Write a story
about your organism’s life. How is your organism uniquely adapted now to compete? What will happen to the species in
the future? How will its reproductive success be affected? How will it adapt? What mechanisms may drive evolution?
Will there be a phyletic or divergent evolution event?
You must include a minimum of 7 of the following concepts in your story
natural selection
phyletic speciation
adaptation
survival of the fittest
mimicry
speciation
divergent speciation
variation
reproductive isolation (which ones)
niche
mutation
genetic drift
Your children’s storybook must be a minimum of 10 pages and include illustrations (hand drawn, traced pictures from the
internet...be creative put your animals in the scene!!!)
Species Story
Category
Level 1
(50-59%)
Level 2
(60-69%)
Level 3
(70-79%)
Level 4
(80-100%)
Knowledge and
Understanding
understanding of the
evolutionary mechanisms
involved in evolution.
EV3.01, 3.02, 3.04. (/14)
Demonstrates limited
understanding of the
evolutionary
mechanisms involved
in evolution.
Demonstrates some
understanding of the
evolutionary
mechanisms involved
in evolution.
Demonstrates
considerable
understanding of the
evolutionary
mechanisms involved
in evolution.
Demonstrates
thorough
understanding of the
evolutionary
mechanisms involved
in evolution.
Thinking and
Investigation
analyses the
environmental change
EV1.02. (8)
Analyses the
Analyses the
Analyses the
environmental change environmental change environmental change
with limited depth.
with some depth.
with considerable
depth.
Analyses the
environmental change
with a high degree of
depth.
Application
analyses and identifies
adaptations, evolutionary
events due to
environmental change for
the species.
EV1.02. (14)
Analyses and
identifies adaptations,
evolutionary events
due to environmental
change for the species
with limited depth.
Analyses and
identifies adaptations,
evolutionary events
due to environmental
change for the species
with some depth.
Analyses and identifies
adaptations,
evolutionary events
due to environmental
change for the species
with considerable
depth.
Analyses and identifies
adaptations,
evolutionary events
due to environmental
change for the species
with a high degree of
depth.
Communication
expression and
organization of ideas and
information (e.g., story
format, illustrations)
SI1.11. (8)
Expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
limited clarity.
Expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
some clarity.
Expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with
considerable clarity.
Expresses and
organizes ideas and
information with a
high degree of clarity.
Note: A student whose achievement is below Level 1 (50%) has not met the expectations for this assignment or activity.