Survival of the fittest?
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g912/crocssurvival.html
A lesson plan for grades 9–12 Science
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore crocodilians, ancient animals that survived the period of mass extinction at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary about 65 million years ago. Activities in this lesson engage students in development of information literacy skills, collaborative group work, and improvement of writing skills.
Students will:
- brainstorm and list reasons why crocodilians might have survived so long;
- research and take notes on questions about modern and prehistoric crocodilians; and
- write papers providing their opinions of why crocodilians have survived so long, including evidence from their research.
Xpeditions provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, assessment and extension activities, and links to helpful web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 9–12 — AP Biology
- Goal 6: The learner will develop an understanding of the unity and diversity of life.
- Objective 6.04: Analyze evolutionary relationships.
- Investigate evidence.
- Explore research methods.
- Analyze use of research.
- Objective 6.04: Analyze evolutionary relationships.
