Related & Different

Are you related to a lizard? This Adaptations Activity gives students insights into
how very different organisms are actually related (distantly). Students search for two somewhat closely related organisms (like two kinds of insects, or a spider and an insect) to compare, using Venn diagrams. Then they debate which two organisms studied by a team are most closely related, supporting their ideas with evidence and reasoning. Finally, they interpret a “Tree of Life” diagram to see how living things on Earth share common ancestors. This activity helps students develop a foundation for understanding key ideas about evolution.

Students will:

• Compare and contrast organisms.
• Understand that all organisms are related.
• Use patterns in body structures to infer relatedness.
• Make explanations about how closely related different organisms might be.