Natural Selection Lab LESSON PLAN (INQUIRY)

Teacher: Julie Koshy

Subject: Biology

Standard:
S4.C4.PO1. Identify the following components of natural selection, which can lead to
speciation:
potential for a species to increase its numbers
genetic variability and inheritance of offspring due to mutation and recombination of
genes
finite supply of resources required for life
selection by the environment of those offspring better able to survive and produce
offspring
S4.C4.PO3. Describe how the continuing operation of natural selection underlies a populations
ability to adapt to changes in the environment and leads to biodiversity and the origin of new
species.
Objective (Explicit):

Analyze the accuracy of the lab in demonstrating evolution by natural selection.

Sub-objectives, SWBAT:
State the key principles of natural selection.
Analyze the data from the lab.
Make suggestions for improvements of the lab.
Evidence of Mastery:
Students will complete the natural selection lab handout with an accuracy of 80/100 to
show mastery.
Key vocabulary: natural selection, variation, adaptations,
overproduction, & descent with modification

Materials:natural selection lab handout, clothespins,

forceps, popsicle sticks, taped hands, toothpicks,
pennies, beans, KNEX pieces, cups, calculators,
masking tape, stopwatches, & writing utensils

Explore

Engage/Set: Before we have gone over natural selection and how evolution can occur. Today you will be doing a lab
where you will be competing to survive in the ecosystem of our classroom.
Teacher Will:
Pass out the natural selection lab handout.
Instruct students to do read through the entire lab to
understand the requirements and how the lab will
proceed. Instruct students to fill in the hypotheses
statements once they finish reading the lab.
Give a quick overview of the steps of the lab.
Ask if students need amore clarification.
Guide students through each round of the lab.

Student Will:
Read through the lab handout. Fill in the
hypotheses statements.
Pay attention to the overview and ask
questions if more clarification is needed.
Complete each round of the lab according ot
the rules.

Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation
ELL students can be given verbal directions as well to give more comprehensible input.

Explain

Teacher Will:
Describe how the calculations were done and
go over the expectations of what the students need to
complete for the rest of the data tables, graph, and
questions.

Student Will:
Copy the example calculation, pay attention to
the description of the assignment, and ask any
questions as they come up.

Elaborate

Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation
Students who have difficulty writing may use a computer to make their tables and graph electronically.
Teacher Will:
Student Will:
Ask students to complete the
Complete the conclusion/discussion questions.
conclusion/discussion questions that elaborate on the
lab and ask them to make improvements to the lab
that will make it better.
Co-Teaching Configuration/Differentiation
ELL students can be given another sheet that provides them with sentence starters so they know how to
frame their complete sentences.

Evaluate: The students will complete the lab handout, which will be used to gauge the students ability to apply the
concepts of natural selection and evolution to a given situation.