2.33
Life Changes through Time.
Mary Atwater, Prentice Baptiste, Lucy Daniel, and others. Unit 41. Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science series. New York, N.Y.: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill School Publishing, 1995.
Program Overview
The Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science series is a comprehensive, activity-based, K-8 science curriculum made up of 42 stand-alone units, 18 of which are designed for grades 6-8. The series is constructed around 7 major themes: (1) systems and interactions, (2) scale and structure, (3) stability, (4) energy, (5) evolution, (6) patterns of change, and (7) models. The subject of each unit--for example, life changes through time--is presented from the perspective of one or more of these themes. One theme is designated as the "major theme" for a unit, and any others are treated as "related themes." For each unit, a wide range of materials, including some optional components, is available for students and teachers.
Student Edition
Recommended grade level:
8.
Life Changes through Time contains 5 lessons that introduce students to the concept of evolution, with each lesson focusing on a particular aspect of the processes that change organisms over time. While models and examples are regularly provided, the evidence supporting these processes is the main focus of this unit. The organizing themes for the unit are evolution (major theme), patterns of change (related theme), and scale and structure (related theme).
Each of the 5 lessons in the unit typically requires 6 days to complete. During the unit, students learn about inherited characteristics and how these characteristics and their variations are passed from generation to generation. They also observe the differences between mitosis and meiosis, and they learn about DNA structure. Students study natural selection, mutation, adaptation, and speciation; and they learn the different strategies that scientists use to study the evidence and processes of evolution.
Sample activities include predicting and then confirming the ratio of color of kernels (that is, the ratio of purple to white kernels) in corn bred from 2 ears of pure purple corn. Students also conduct a classroom genetics survey to observe and record students' inherited characteristics. They observe the difference between mitosis and meiosis by looking at onion tip cells and lily anther cells. They also build a model of DNA, and they work with imaginary fossils (actually, buttons) to develop a model of evolution.
Each lesson contains narrative information and a series of sequential, hands-on activities--such as an introductory "minds-on" activity, short "try this" activities, and a longer "explore" activity. The unit's 5 "explore activities," which are lab activities, each take a class period to complete. Students use activity logs to record ideas, observations, and results.
Special unit features include curriculum links to language arts, literature, mathematics, music, and art; information about science careers; and narrative sections highlighting science, technology, and society connections.
Teacher's Planning Guide
The teacher's planning guide, a spiral-bound, wraparound edition, provides information and strategies for teaching the 5 lessons in the student edition. Each lesson is introduced by a 4-page section that offers background information, a lesson-planning guide, and assessment options. Marginal notes on the lesson pages provide discussion ideas, tips on meeting individual needs, suggestions for addressing misconceptions, assessment ideas, and curriculum connections.
Program Resources and Support Materials
A wide range of materials, including some optional components, is available. Examples include consumable and nonconsumable activity materials; audio- and videotapes; interactive videodiscs; color transparencies; assessment materials; a teacher anthology of short stories, poems, fingerplays, and songs; trade books; teacher resource masters; activity cards; activity logs; a staff development package; concept summaries and glossaries for students acquiring English; and software with problem-solving simulations for students.
Key to Content Standards: 5-8 (see app. C)
UNIFYING CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES: Systems, order, and organization; evidence, models, and explanation; evolution and equilibrium; form and function.
SCIENCE AS INQUIRY: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry; understandings about scientific inquiry.
LIFE SCIENCE: Structure and function in living systems; reproduction and heredity; diversity and adaptations of organisms.
HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE: Nature of science; history of science.
Prices:
Student edition (ISBN 0-02-276141-1), $7.06. Teacher's planning guide (ISBN 0-02-276089-X), $55.98. Unit package, $115.83. Activity materials kit, $95.00. (Contact publisher/supplier for complete price and ordering information.)
Publisher/supplier:
McGraw-Hill.
Materials:
Available locally, from commercial suppliers, or in kit.
Topic Index listings linked to this entry
Use these listings to find related entries.
Adaptations, Life Sciences: Exploring Life Science, ~ Parade of Life: Monerans, Protists, Fungi, and Plants, Environmental Sciences: Discovering Deserts, ~ Project Learning Tree Environmental Education Activity Guide: Pre K-8, Earth Sciences: Arid Lands, Sacred Waters, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Grade 6, ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum.
DNA, Life Sciences: DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools, ~ What Does DNA Look Like?, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8).
Evolution, Life Sciences: Exploring Life Science, ~ Glencoe Life Science, ~ Parade of Life: Animals, Cranial Creations in Life Science: Interdisciplinary and Cooperative Activities, ~ The Microcosmos Curriculum Guide to Exploring Microbial Space, Earth Sciences: Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Evolution: Change over Time, ~ Investigating Systems and Change, ~ Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ How Might Life Evolve on Other Worlds?
Genetics, Life Sciences: Exploring Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ Middle School Life Science, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, Biotechnology: The Technology of Life, ~ Cranial Creations in Life Science: Interdisciplinary and Cooperative Activities, ~ Why Do People Look Different?, Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Seventh Grade, ~ Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ Climate and Farming, ~ Super Science Activities: Favorite Lessons from Master Teachers.
Heredity, Life Sciences: Exploring Life Science, ~ Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ Science 2000: Science 2 (Grade 8), ~ Great Moments in Science: Experiments and Readers Theatre.
Mitosis, Life Sciences: Cells: Building Blocks of Life, ~ Glencoe Life Science, Multi & Applied Sciences: Science 2000: Grade 6.
Models, Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Experimenting with Model Rockets, ~ Inventor's Lab, ~ Newton's Toy Box, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Experiments with Motion, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, ~ Machines, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Simple and Motorized Machines Activity Pack, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Structures, Life Sciences: Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ Food, Energy, and Growth, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ The Human Body: How Can I Maintain and Care for Myself?, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, You and Your Body, ~ Zebra Mussel Mania, ~ The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools, Environmental Sciences: Plastics in Our Lives, ~ Water: Can We Keep It Fit for Life?, ~ Environmental Issues: Intermediate, ~ Environmental Resource Guide: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ H2O Below: An Activity Guide for Groundwater Study, ~ STV: Water, Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ River Cutters, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, ~ Project SPICA: A Teacher Resource to Enhance Astronomy Education, ~ A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources, Multi & Applied Sciences: Models and Designs, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Energy Transformations: Fourth Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight, ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ If Shipwrecks Could Talk, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars, ~ Packaging, ~ A Sunken Ship, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Mutation, Life Sciences: DNA--From Genes to Proteins,
Natural selection, Life Sciences: Lyme Disease: A Sourcebook for Teaching about a Major Environmental Health Problem, Environmental Sciences: Our Wonderful World: Solutions for Math + Science, Multi & Applied Sciences: Evolution: Change over Time, ~ Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Eighth Grade, ~ How Might Life Evolve on Other Worlds?
