Free 9th Grade Pre Humans Lesson Plan

Topic: Pre-Humans

Objectives & Outcomes

• Students will understand how humans evolved from earlier species and how natural selection played a key role in their development.

Materials

• Pictures of various ancient species (e.g. apes, monkeys, dinosaur-like creatures)
• Diagrams or charts showing the evolutionary relationships between these species
• Textual material on the principles of natural selection

Warm-up

• Ask students if they know what evolution is.
• Ask them to give examples of animals or plants that they think have evolved over time (e.g. dogs, cats, butterflies, oak trees).
• Discuss their ideas and clarify any misunderstandings.

Direct Instruction

• Show students the pictures of the hominids and discuss the evolution of humans.
• Explain that humans are part of a larger evolutionary process that has been occurring for millions of years.
• Explain that hominids are the predecessors of modern humans, and that over time they have evolved and changed to become more like us.
• Use the timeline and evolutionary chart to show the progression of hominids and the evolutionary events that led to their development.
• Use the models and specimens to demonstrate the physical features that have changed over time.
• Discuss the causes of evolution, including natural selection, genetic drift, and environmental pressures.

Guided Practice

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific hominid species.
• Ask each group to research their hominid species and answer the following questions:
• What are the physical and behavioral characteristics of this species?
• What evolutionary events led to the development of this species?
• What are the causes of evolution that could explain the development of this species?
• Have these causes changed over time? If so, how?
• Have the physical and behavioral characteristics of this species changed over time? If so, how?
• Have modern humans evolved from this species? If so, how?
• Can you draw a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships between this species and modern humans?
• Have a class discussion to share the answers and insights from each group.

Independent Practice

• Have students choose another hominid species to research, beyond those listed in the lesson.
• Ask students to answer the same questions as above, but this time using their chosen hominid species as the focus.
• Have students draw a diagram showing the evolutionary relationships between their chosen species and modern humans.
• Have students present their answers to the class.

Closure

• Review the main points of the lesson, including the different hominid species and the various traits and characteristics they displayed.
• Ask students to reflect on what they have learned, and how it might impact their view of human evolution.

Assessment

• Use the information gathered during the group and independent practice activities to assess student understanding of the material.
• Administer a quiz or test to assess students' knowledge of human evolution and the various hominid species.