Evolution
- Duration: 30:00 minutes
- No Subtitles
- Published: 25 04 2008
- Licence information for Evolution
- Part of the series Ceri Evans' Masterclass
Summary
Former Teacher of the Year Ceri Evans inspires a group of gifted and talented Year 10 students in an active lesson about Darwin's theory of evolution.
Using a variety of games and challenges, Ceri leads a group of gifted and talented pupils and, in the process, provides science teachers with some effective ways of teaching about one of the most important ideas in the history of philosophy and science.
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Extra materials (1)
Related links (3)
BBC: GCSE Bitesize - Biology
Revision tools on DNA from BBC Bitesize
S-cool: GCSE Biology Revision
Revision website for GCSE biology
Science Online: Lesson Plans - Science Unit 7D
A host of lesson plans on variation and classification at KS3
Comments (9)
This seems to be a very innovative approach to teaching a difficult topic, many thanks for posting it! I have to reply to "prickle"(Nov 13, 2008)though, just in case anyone is mislead by his comments. Charles Darwin was not a racist, his compassion for peoples of all races shines through if you read his books (see especially 'The Voyage of the Beagle') - in fact, he almost abandoned his voyage round the world over a heated disagreement with the ship's captain, who was an advocate of slavery. As for the argument about dogs: all dog variations are the same species genetically, but one of the fundamental definitions of 'species' is that members of the same species can interbreed to produce fertile offspring. It is unlikely (in my opinion) that left to their own devices a chihuaha and Rottweiler would be able to reproduce - it's just not practical. In that respect, one could define these two examples as different species, and given enough time they may diverge such. Sorry for the rant, I'm a devout Darwinian but also firmly believe in teaching pupils that there are other valid theories concerning the development of life on earth (such as intelligent design)- they should not be mislead by poorly researched,inaccurate and biased arguments such as those expressed by "prickle", but given impartial guidance by us as teachers to help them develop their own ideas/ beliefs.
I liked the idea so much I copied it, props and all. I delivered it to a class of gifted and talented students from four different schools, as part of our project on Evolution- Debating Darwin, one of this years finalist in the Rolls Royce science prize. Evaluation from the students was excellent. They found it fun, and commented on the fact that modeling the concept in such an active way really got them understanding Natural Selection.
I really don't see a balanced view here. Charles Darwin was a racist - this is well known, but students aren't being taught this. If anyone has actually read and understood the book you would be shocked. Micro-evolution is well known. Macro-evolution is not. Exactly where is there a new species? After years and years of (selective) adaptation in dogs - a pure chihuahua's gametes are still compatible with a pure Rottweiler's - thus still the same species. Same as the 'peppered moth' example. I'm still not convinced we are teaching the most scientific theory. All Rembrandt's paintings are the same so the fact we share genes with chimpanzee's just points to the same creator!
Ceri uses the word 'adaptation' incorrectly on a few ocassions which kind of spoiled his teaching about evolution. When a boy behaves in a way that is snart Ceri says 'You learned, you adapted' Thats just exactly the incorrect use of the word that we are trying to prevent!
This is a really useful resource. I took the wiggles activity and used it with my bottom set y10's, not the G+T pupils as in the video. They loved it and got the same from it, all be it a bit slower. I was also observed in the lesson and got a very good, so try this if you get a chance!
What did you use? I've got a cargo net but no wiggles.
(Associate)
Great class, enjoyed the whole thing. Being married to a dietitian, has Ceri considered the consequences of the sweet award or perhaps we could be more endangered as a species then we think we are!! How about a raffle with prizes at the end or as a novelty, a stick of carrot instead!!! Just a thought.
This is a fantastic way of bringing a dry subject to the students' attention by making them think on their feet most of the time. I particularly enjoyed the link back to the original question by using the sweetbowl. Way to go!!! Cool teaching techniques.
(Associate)
Some great ideas for teaching evolution. One point though...Ceri states that the differences between himself and the student are caused by different genes. Is this not a misconception - are not all their genes the same but their alleles are different. Sounds a little pedantic I know but it is something I bring to the attention of my students.
But otherwise some definite ideas for next time I teach evolution - cheers!