Glencoe Science Level Red

Unit 5:

Charles Darwin

Project Type: History

Introduction:
Charles Darwin is best known for his theory of evolution by natural selection. What, exactly, is natural selection? What was Darwin’s educational background? How did he come to study and write about living species? Who were the individuals who influenced his thinking? Your students will answer questions such as these as they research the life of Charles Darwin.
                             
Task:
Have students research the life and work of Charles Darwin, including his educational background and his career as a naturalist. They also should find out why he was interested in the classification of animal species. After students have finished their research, have them write a time-travel interview with Darwin that incorporates what they learned.

Time:

Possible Resources:

http://www.solonschools.org/TLCF/socialstudies/interFrm.htm

http://www2.lucidcafe.com/lucidcafe/library/96feb/darwin.html

http://www.aboutdarwin.com/index.html

http://www.literature.org/authors/darwin-charles/

http://anthro.palomar.edu/animal/animal_1.htm

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/clad/clad4.html

Product:
Direct students as they present their findings as one-on-one interviews with Charles Darwin. Students may wish to partner with another student and present the interview to the rest of the class.

Rubric:
Click here for a rubric to help score this project. (67.0K)