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Search the evolution lesson database Grade level(s): K-2     3-5 6-8     9-12 Lesson topic: Any topicAdaptationArtificial SelectionClassification/PhylogeneticsEvidence for EvolutionGenetic VariationGeologic TimeHistory of LifeNatural SelectionNature of ScienceRelevanceSpeciation Keyword(s): Includes words from the lesson content, title, or description.

Concepts for Grades 3-5 Jump to: History of Life | Evidence of Evolution | Mechanisms of Evolution | Nature of Science | Studying Evolution |   Click here for a printable version (requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader) History of Life Concepts Life has been on Earth for billions of years. (See Lessons) Life forms have changed over time. Many forms of life in the past were different from living things today. Many forms of life in the past were similar to present-day living things. Present-day life forms are related to past life forms. Most species that once lived on Earth have gone extinct. To help you teach these concepts, you may want to explore Patterns of Evolution. Return to Top Evidence of Evolution Concepts Life is very diverse. (See Lessons) There is a fit between organisms and their environments, though not always a perfect fit. Form is linked to function. (See Lessons) Fossils provide evidence of past life. (See Lessons) There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms. (See Lessons) Selective breeding can produce offspring with new traits. To help you teach these concepts, you may want to explore Lines of Evidence. Return to Top Mechanisms of Evolution Concepts Offspring inherit many traits from their parents, but are not exactly identical to their parents. There is variation within a population. Advantageous features help living things survive. (See Lessons) Depending upon the environment, some living things will survive better than others. (See Lessons) Environmental changes may affect an organism's ability to survive. (See Lessons) To help you teach these concepts, you may want to explore Descent with Modification, Natural Selection, or Mechanisms of Microevolution. Return to Top Nature of Science Concepts Scientists ask and address questions about the natural world. (See Lessons) Science explains the natural world using evidence from the natural world. (See Lessons) We learn about the natural world using our senses and extensions of our senses. (See Lessons) Scientists work through careful observations and recording of those observations. (See Lessons) To help you teach these concepts, you may want to explore Nature of Science. Return to Top Studying Evolution Concepts Scientists study living things and how they are related. (See Lessons) Scientists study rocks and how and when they were formed. (See Lessons) Scientists study fossils and how and when they were formed. (See Lessons) To help you teach these concepts, you may want to explore Lines of Evidence. Return to Top

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