Name: Michael Ouimet

Type of Lesson: Webquest

Lesson Plan Title: The Evolution of Evolution

Discipline and Topic: Biology/The Theory of Evolution

Target Population: Tenth grade Biology students.  They have slightly different ability levels but are homogeneous in the sense that they are all expected to pass The Living Environment Regents exam at the end of the year.  The students will work individually.

Curriculum Links: I plan on using this webquest to introduce the topic of evolution.  If students are expected to find information on their own, they should do so before I give them any information.  After the students have answered the questions in the webquest, we can spend some time reporting our findings to the class.  At this time, I can clarify any mistakes and answer any questions.  In addition, as the days progress, I will add to the information the students have found.

Objectives: At the end of this webquest, the students will be able to:

• differentiate between Darwin's and Lamarck's theories of evolution
• define some basic evolutionary terms such as mimcry, camouflage, and natural selection.
• explain some of the evidence for evolution, even if they do not agree with it.
  

Media literacy objectives: In completing this webquest, students will

•  take notes and gather data from nonprint sources

• express ideas creatively and/or uniquely in integrative nonprint formats

Materials and Timing: I will need a computer lab, and LCD projector, and an overhead projector.  This lesson will take three 45-minute periods.

Scope and Sequence: On day one, I will introduce what a webquest is.  Through an LCD projector, I will show various examples of webquests.  I will inform the students that they will be completing a webquest on Evolution.  I will not provide them with any informtion prior to them attempting the webquest.  After this approximate 20-minute introduction, I will take the students to the computer alb and let them look at the webquest (how it is set up, what the questions are like, etc.)  They probably will not have enough time to actually starting the webquest.

                                  On day two, having previewed the webquest, the students will be able to jump right in and hopefully complete the webquest.  I will walk aroung the room and give them guidance when needed.

                                  On day three, we will share our findings from the webquest and clarify and misconceptions.

Supplemental Materials: All worksheets will be included in the webquest.  After completing them, students will print these pages.

Evaluation of Students:

Evaluation of Lesson: I will judge this lesson to be successful if the students are having a good time and most of them hand in the questions and project.