Human Evolution Grade Range: Elementary School Key Terms Lesson Time: 40 minutes Materials and Resources Adaptation Australopithecus Bipedalism Evidence Evolution Fossils Homo erectus Homo sapiens Observe Skeleton Skull Research materials (textbooks and Internet) Human Evolution - Skeletons session - VIVED Science Human Evolution - Skulls session - VIVED Science Human Evolution worksheet Activity Overview Did you know that throughout the human evolution timeline, the human brain has increased in size, while human teeth have decreased in size? What other changes have occurred in the evolution of humans? Human evolution is the process of change through which modern humans originated from apelike ancestors. Both the physical appearance and behavioral traits of humans have evolved over time. Students will conduct in-depth research on a few stages of human evolution in order to infer evolutionary relationships. Essential Questions 1. How are organisms adapted for their environment? 2. How are structures and functions related in nature? 3. What evidence can be used to support the concept of biological evolution? Objectives Create 3D group presentations that explain the changes in human physical appearance and behavioral traits over time Analyze and interpret patterns in the fossil record that document the existence and change of human life forms Conduct in-depth research about human evolution using multimedia sources Analyze similarities and differences between modern humans and their ancestors to infer evolutionary relationships Introduction To begin the activity, explain that human evolution is the process of change through which modern humans originated from apelike ancestors. State that the physical appearance and behavioral traits of humans have slowly evolved over time. Ask the students to name some ways that humans have changed over time. Students will share their ideas. Explain to the students that they will study three stages in human evolution in order to infer evolutionary relationships. 2017 zspace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Human Evolution 1
zspace Activity Instructions for VIVED Science 1. Open the Human Evolution - Skeletons session and follow the instructions, but stop at slide 2. 2. As you examine slide 2, write down structural features for each stage of human evolution in the Venn diagram in the Human Evolution worksheet. 3. Continue with slide 3. As you progress through the session, observe the structural features of each stage: Australopithecus, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens. Note their similarities and differences. Record your observations on the Human Evolution worksheet. 4. Open the Human Evolution - Skulls session. 5. Repeat step #3. 6. Using textbooks and the Internet, conduct in-depth research about human evolution and the three stages that you observed in VIVED Science. In particular, find out how the changes in physical appearance affected the behavior and survival of the species during each stage. 7. Record your findings on the Human Evolution worksheet. 8. Working in a small group, use VIVED Science to create a detailed presentation about the stages of human evolution. Add descriptions of the physical appearance and explain the behavioral traits of each stage. 9. Complete the Human Evolution Worksheet as you progress through the sessions. Session 1 - Human Evolution - Skeletons Activity Questions Provided in VIVED Science Answers may vary. Sample answers are provided below. 1. Human Evolution (Skeletons). How did we evolve into the modern humans that we are today? Human evolution shows the process of change in which modern humans originated from apelike ancestors. Let's take a closer look at three stages in human evolution. 2. Over the past six million years, the physical appearance and behavioral traits of humans have slowly been evolving. Here are three different stages in human evolution. 3. Australopithecus. This was the first stage in human evolution to demonstrate bipedalism, the ability to walk on two legs. These animals were no longer knuckle-walkers like their apelike ancestors. Why do you think this change occurred? How did this change in physical appearance affect the behavior and survival of Australopithecus? Lift up the Australopithecus skeleton and analyze its structures. Scientists are uncertain why bipedalism developed. However, bipedalism did offer many advantages. It allowed Australopithecus to walk or run more efficiently on the ground, have a better field of vision for hunting, and keep its hands free for other important functions such as carrying food or holding its young. Bipedalism was an important adaptation that allowed Australopithecus to survive for a million years. 4. Homo erectus. Homo erectus had a much larger body size, skull, and brain than Australopithecus. Why do you think these changes occurred? How did these changes in physical appearance affect the behavior and survival of Homo erectus? Lift up the Homo erectus skeleton and analyze its structures. Homo erectus had a larger skull and brain, and therefore greater intelligence, which allowed it to survive and adapt to many different environments. Homo erectus participated in more complex behaviors including hunting and gathering, using tools, and starting fires for cooking and warmth. 5. Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens, or modern humans, have an even larger body size and skull, and a more complex brain (although a little smaller than that of Homo erectus ). Why do you think these changes occurred? How did 2017 zspace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Human Evolution 2
these changes in physical appearance affect the behavior and survival of Homo sapiens? Lift up the Homo sapiens skeleton and analyze its structures. Homo sapiens, or modern humans, have an even more complex brain than Homo erectus. This allows Homo sapiens to carry out advanced functions such as reasoning, decision-making, language use, and culture development. 6. Now compare all three stages side-by-side. What similarities can you find to provide evidence of their evolutionary relationship? What other physical differences can you find? Conduct further research to find out how these differences affected their behavior and survival. All three stages of human evolution have very similar skeletal structures. They are all vertebrates that walk upright on two legs, but have increased in size over time. These similarities in skeletal structure not only provide evidence of the evolutionary relationship between these stages, but also distinguish humans from their previous apelike ancestors. Session 2 - Human Evolution - Skulls Activity Questions Provided in VIVED Science Answers may vary. Sample answers are provided below. 1. How did we evolve into the modern humans that we are today? By analyzing the skulls from three different stages in human evolution, we can observe the process of change in which modern humans originated from apelike ancestors. 2. Over the past six million years, the physical appearance and behavioral traits of humans have slowly been evolving. Here are the skulls from three different stages in human evolution. 3. Australopithecus. The skull of an Australopithecus had a projecting face, a low, flat forehead, and strong jaws with large front teeth. Rotate the entire skull and look at it from all sides. Take it apart and look at each piece separately. 4. Homo erectus. The skull and brain of a Homo erectus were much larger in size than those of an Australopithecus. Rotate the entire skull and look at it from all sides. Take it apart and look at each piece separately. 5. Homo sapiens. The skull of a Homo sapiens, or modern human, is even larger in size than that of a Homo erectus. However, the brain of a Homo sapiens is a little smaller than that of a Homo erectus. Rotate the entire skull and look at it from all sides. Take it apart and look at each piece separately. 6. Now compare all three skulls side-by-side. What similarities can you find to provide evidence of their evolutionary relationship? What other physical differences can you find? Conduct further research to find out how these differences affected their behavior and survival. All three stages of human evolution have very similar skull structures. They all have comparable skull and teeth features, with skulls and brains that became increasingly larger in size and more developed and advanced over time. These similarities not only provide evidence of the evolutionary relationship between these stages, but also distinguish humans from their previous apelike ancestors. Closing After students watch all presentations, have them discuss their observations and comparisons, including the differences they noted in each model. Encourage them to discuss any discrepancies in the data from the presentations. They will share their conclusions about the evolutionary relationship between modern humans and their ancestors by pointing out the similarities and differences that they found. 2017 zspace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Human Evolution 3
Then lead the students in a discussion of their thoughts on each skeleton s origins. Guide the students toward the concept that each skeleton is a human one, but from various points through history. Questions for Discussion 1. The Homo sapiens skeleton is a modern human skeleton. Based on your observations, how do you think the skeletons are related to one another? I noticed that the skeletons seemed to be very similar to one another. I think they are all forms of humans over a long period of time. 2. What characteristics have remained the same? All three stages of human evolution have very similar skeletal and skull structures. They are all vertebrates that walk upright on two legs. They all have comparable skull and teeth features, with brains that became increasingly more developed and advanced over time. These similarities not only provide evidence of the evolutionary relationship between these stages, but also distinguish humans from their previous apelike ancestors. 3. What characteristics are different? Australopithecus was the first stage of human evolution to demonstrate bipedalism, the ability to walk on two legs. These organisms were no longer knuckle-walkers, like their apelike ancestors. This change allowed humans to have free hands for holding young or carrying food, to run for long distances, and to have a better field of vision for hunting. Homo erectus had a much larger body size, skull, and brain than Australopithecus. It also had more modern-looking hands and feet. These changes allowed Homo erectus to have greater intelligence and develop technology, such as tools for hunting and creating fire. Homo sapiens, or modern humans, have an even more complex brain than Homo erectus, but it is actually smaller in size. This allows Homo sapiens to carry out advanced functions like reasoning, decision-making, language use, and culture development. 4. Based on your observations and research, what similarities did you find between all three stages that provide evidence of their evolutionary relationship? All three stages of human evolution have very similar skeletal and skull structures. They are all vertebrates that walk upright on two legs. They all have comparable skull and teeth features, with brains that became increasingly more developed and advanced over time. These similarities not only provide evidence of the evolutionary relationship between these stages, but also distinguish humans from their previous apelike ancestors. Extension Activity: Sculpt models of skulls at various stages of evolution in Leopoly 3D. These models do not need to be scientifically accurate, but they should demonstrate an understanding of evolution; you must be able to explain the evolutionary process of your models. All models can be imported into Studio so you can create a tour of your models. Optionally, all Leopoly 3D models can be exported and 3D printed to be compared in the physical world. Differentiation Group students heterogeneously to allow students with a strong command of the English language to assist in reading or interpreting questions Provide paper copies of diagrams for students to use as a reference Provide a handout with a list of vocabulary terms and definitions that will appear in the activity Allow students to provide answers that are handwritten, typed, or verbal Give students a variety of presentation styles to choose from (using charts/graphs, PowerPoint, making 3D presentations, creating videos/movies, making posters) 2017 zspace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Human Evolution 4
Have students work as partners or in small groups (younger children could partner with older buddies) 2017 zspace, Inc. All Rights Reserved Human Evolution 5