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Science 6-8 Galapagos Adaptations

Science 6-8 Galapagos Adaptations

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Standards & Objectives

Essential and guiding questions: 

Text-Dependent Questions:

  • What has been the most devastating impact of introducing rats to the Galapagos island ecosystem?
  • What evidence does the author provide that suggests that human travelers are having a negative impact on the native species of the Islands?
  • Ecologists plan to eliminate the rats’ negative impact by dropping “poison pellets” on the island. What are some reasons this might be a “risky measure”?
  • What positive outcomes could result from human intervention in the island crisis? In your opinion, do the risks of the intervention outweigh the intended benefits?

Activity/Task Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding
Differentiation suggestions: 

Scaffolding and support for special education students, English language learners, and struggling readers:

In order to support struggling readers, vocabulary support must be given and connections made to prior learning of human impact on environment and biodiversity consequences. Teachers can also use:

  • Peer tutoring may for struggling learners to fully comprehend the material
  • Small group discussions to help students process the concepts
  • Extra time one-on-one in directed studies
  • Pre-reading vocabulary support and reviews of the previous knowledge linking to the lesson 
Interdisciplinary opportunities: 

How this task supports the content standards for relevant subject area courses in this grade band

This task is appropriate for an 8th grade science course and supports the following standards:

  • GLE 0807.5.3 Analyze how structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations within a population enable it to survive in a given environment.
  • GLE 0807.5.4 Explain why variation within a population can enhance the chances for group survival.
  • GLE 0807.5.5 Describe the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity.
  • SPI 0807.5.2 Analyze structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations to predict which populations are likely to survive in a particular environment.
  • SPI 0807.5.3 Analyze data on levels of variation within a population to make predictions about survival under particular environmental conditions.
  • SPI 0807.5.4 Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth’s biodiversity
Originator: 
Tennessee Department of Education