Biology Teaching Program
Evolution of Australian Biota
PRELIMINARY BIOLOGY CORE MODULE 8.5
This teaching program has been prepared as a starting point to assist teachers in the
creation of lesson plans, and is a suggested guide only.
It is not prescriptive, nor is it endorsed by the Board of Studies.
The program has been developed with reference to specific components of the syllabus,
and is intended to aid teachers in incorporating these components into their lessons.
References to syllabus points within the program are numbered for ease of reference:
these numbers correspond to the syllabus outline document ‘Numbered Syllabus
References’, which derives from the Board of Studies (NSW) Biology Stage 6 Syllabus
(Amended October 2002). Each number represents a bullet point from this document.
The order and content of lessons may require modification to suit the individual
requirements of teachers and students.
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
1
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Identify and describe evidence
that supports the assertion that
Australia was once part of a
landmass called Gondwana,
including:
Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates
that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent. (8.5.1)
Key Lesson Content
Australia's Origin

Recall from Stage 5 that
crustal plates move over
time.
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Solve problems to identify the
positions of mid-ocean ridges
and spreading zones that infer a
moving Australian continent.
(3)
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.1 pp. 168–73
- matching continental margins
- position of mid-ocean ridges
- spreading zones between
continental plates
- fossils in common on
Gondwanan continents,
including Glossopteris and
Gangamopteris flora, and
marsupials
- similarities between present-day
organisms on Gondwanan
continents. (1)
Learning
Style
References and Resources
Chapter 4.2 pp. 173–7
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
1
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
2
Discuss current research into
the evolutionary relationships
between extinct species,
including megafauna and extant
Australian species. (2)
Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates
that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent. (8.5.1)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Australia’s Fauna

References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Recall from Stage 5 that
present-day organisms have
evolved from organisms in
the distant past.
Chapter 4.2 pp. 173–7
Chapter 4.6 pp. 189–93
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
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Coordinator’s
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2
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates
that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent. (8.5.1)
Key Lesson Content
Identify data sources, gather,
process and analyse
information from secondary
sources and use available
evidence to illustrate the
changing ideas of scientists in
the last 200 years about
individual species such as the
platypus as new information
and technologies became
available. (4)
3
Learning
Style
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.5 pp. 186–9
Abor&I /
Multicultural
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Signature
3
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
4
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Identify the relationship
between variation within a
species and the chances of
survival of species when
environmental change occurs.
(6)
Identify and describe evidence
of changing environments in
Australia over millions of years.
(7)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Australia’s Plants

Recall that crustal plates
move over time.

Recall evidence that presentday organisms have
developed from different
organisms in the distant past.

References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.3 pp. 177–81
Chapter 4.4 pp. 182–5
Recall that natural selection
relates to the theory of
evolution.
Identify changes in the
distribution of Australian
species, as rainforests
contracted and sclerophyll
communities and grasslands
spread, as indicated by fossil
evidence. (9)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
4
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
5
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Identify the relationship
between variation within a
species and the chances of
survival of species when
environmental change occurs.
(6)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Australia's Megafauna

References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Recall evidence that presentday organisms have
developed from different
organisms in the distant past.
Chapter 4.2 pp. 173–7
Identify and describe evidence
of changing environments in
Australia over millions of years.
(7)
Chapter 4.3 pp. 177–81
Chapter 4.6 pp. 189–93
Identify changes in the
distribution of Australian
species, as rainforests
contracted and sclerophyll
communities and grasslands
spread, as indicated by fossil
evidence. (9)
Discuss current theories that
provide a model to account for
these changes in the distribution
of Australian species. (10)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
5
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
6
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Discuss examples of variation
between members of a species.
(5)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Adaptations
Chapter 4.3 pp. 177–81
Chapter 4.4 pp. 182–5
(May wish to refer to
Investigation 5 pp. 214–15, to
be completed in Lesson 11.)
Identify areas within Australia
that experience significant
variations in temperature and
water availability. (8)
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Identify the relationship
between variation within a
species and the chances of
survival of species when
environmental change occurs.
(6)
Learning
Style
References and Resources
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
6
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Gather, process and analyse
information from secondary
sources to develop a timeline
that identifies key events in the
formation of Australia as an
island continent from its origins
as part of Gondwana. (12)
7
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.2 pp. 173–7
Investigation 1 pp. 208–9
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
7
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Gather information from
secondary sources to describe
some Australian fossils, where
these fossils were found and use
available evidence to explain
how they contribute to the
development of understanding
about the evolution of species in
Australia. (13)
8
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.2 pp. 173–7
Investigation 2 pp. 209–12
Perform a first-hand
investigation, gather
information of named
Australian fossil samples and
use available evidence to
identify similarities and
differences between current and
extinct Australian life forms.
(14)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
8
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Present information from
secondary sources to discuss
the Huxley– Wilberforce debate
on Darwin’s theory of
evolution. (15)
9
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Investigation 3 pp. 212–13
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
9
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
10
Discuss Darwin’s observations
of Australian flora and fauna
and relate these to his theory of
evolution. (11)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Investigation 4 pp. 213–14
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
10
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened
through evolution. (8.5.2)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Perform a first-hand
investigation to gather
information of examples of
variation in at least two species
of living organism. (16)
11
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Investigation 5 pp. 214–15
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
11
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
12
Distinguish between the
processes of meiosis and
mitosis in terms of the daughter
cells produced. (17)
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Asexual Reproduction
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.8 pp. 194–7
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
12
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
13
Distinguish between the
processes of meiosis and
mitosis in terms of the daughter
cells produced. (17)
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Sexual Reproduction
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.8 pp. 194–7
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
13
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
14
Distinguish between the
processes of meiosis and
mitosis in terms of the daughter
cells produced. (17)
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Analyse information from
secondary sources to tabulate
the differences that distinguish
the processes of mitosis and
meiosis. (24)
Sexual and Asexual
Reproduction
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.8 pp. 194–7
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
14
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
15
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Compare and contrast external External and Internal
and internal fertilisation. (18)
Fertilisation
Identify data sources, gather,
process and analyse
information from secondary
sources and use available
evidence to discuss the relative
success of internal and external
fertilisation in relation to the
colonisation of terrestrial and
aquatic environments. (25)
Discuss the relative success of
these forms of fertilisation in
relation to the colonisation of
terrestrial and aquatic
environments. (19)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.9 pp. 197–8
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
15
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
16
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Describe some mechanisms
found in Australian fauna to
ensure:
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Reproduction in Australian
Animals
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
- fertilisation
- survival of the embryo and of
the young after birth. (21)
Chapter 4.10 pp. 198–202
Explain how the evolution of
these reproductive adaptations
has increased the chances of
continuity of the species in the
Australian environment. (22)
Describe the conditions under
which asexual reproduction is
advantageous, with reference to
Australian examples. (23)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
16
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
17
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Describe some mechanisms
found in Australian flora for:
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Reproduction in Australian
Plants
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
- pollination
- seed dispersal
- asexual reproduction
with reference to local
examples. (20)
Chapter 4.11 pp. 202–7
Explain how the evolution of
these reproductive adaptations
has increased the chances of
continuity of the species in the
Australian environment. (22)
Describe the conditions under
which asexual reproduction is
advantageous, with reference to
Australian examples. (23)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
17
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Key Lesson Content
Angiosperm adaptations
18
Learning
Style
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations
that have evolved in Australian plants and animals. (8.5.3)
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Plan, choose equipment or
resources and perform a firsthand investigation to gather
and present information about
flowers of native species of
angiosperms to identify features
that may be adaptations for
wind and insect/bird/mammal
pollination. (26)
ICT
Values
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Investigation 6 pp. 214–15
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
18
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
19
Explain the importance of the
study of past environments in
predicting the impact of human
activity in present
environments. (27)
A study of palaeontology and past environments increases our understanding of
the possible future range of plants and animals. (8.5.4)
Key Lesson Content
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Palaeontology and Past
Environments
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.6 pp. 189–93
Identify the ways in which
palaeontology assists
understanding of the factors that
may determine distribution of
flora and fauna in present and
future environments. (28)
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
19
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Key Lesson Content
Australian Evolution Stories
20
Learning
Style
A study of palaeontology and past environments increases our understanding of
the possible future range of plants and animals. (8.5.4)
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Gather, process and analyse
information from secondary
sources and use available
evidence to propose reasons for
the evolution, survival and
extinction of species, with
reference to specific Australian
examples. (30)
ICT
Values
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.6 pp. 189–93
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
20
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY
CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
21
A study of palaeontology and past environments increases our understanding of
the possible future range of plants and animals. (8.5.4)
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Key Lesson Content
Explain the need to maintain
biodiversity. (29)
Monitoring Biodiversity
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Use websites to find out how
Australian biodiversity is
monitored:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2
003/11/05/1068013254618.html?fro
m=storyrhs&oneclick=true
Process information to discuss
a current effort to monitor
biodiversity. (31)
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.go
v.au/npws.nsf/Content/Royal+Nat
ional+Park+and+environs+survey
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4.7 pp. 193–4
Investigation 7 pp. 215–16
http://www.speednet.com.au/~aba
rca/NPAlinkspage.htm
http://www.npansw.org.au/web/c
onservation/biodiversity%20surve
ys/community_survey.htm
http://www.nccnsw.org.au/memb
er/tec/greenprint/biodpaper.htm
http://www.sydneyolympicpark.c
om.au/index.asp?DocID=4162&Ca
tID=115
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
Multicultural
Gen/C&C/Work
Coordinator’s
Signature
21
EVOLUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BIOTA – PRELIM BIOLOGY CORE MODULE 8.5
Lesson
Students Learn to (KNOW)
Teaching Strategies/
Learning Experiences (SKILLS)
Key Lesson Content

22
ASSESSMENT LESSON
Do Practice Examination
Questions from end of
chapter.
(Relevant test questions from
past papers could be used to
provide additional material
for assessment.)
References and Resources
Reg
Date
Biology in Context:
The Spectrum of Life
Second Edition
Chapter 4, ‘Evolution of
Australian Biota’, pp. 167–220
Practice Examination
Questions (Chapter 4)
pp. 217–220
Learning
Style
Evaluation
Informal
Ass
Outcomes
Key Comps
Glossary
Scaffolds
ICT
Values
Abor&I /
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22