Teaching Evolution in the Classroom

Activity 1: Part 1 - What is Evolution?

2008-06-04T17:59:00.000-07:00

Based on the research and your previous knowledge please answer the question, "What is Evolution? What is Biological Evolution?

Activity 1: Part 2 - What is Creationism?

2008-06-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Creationism in the United States became associated with Christian fundamentalists opposing human evolution around 1929. Based on your understanding and research answer the following questions:

1. What is Creationism?
2. How does it relate to Evolution?

Activity 1: Part 3-What is Intelligent Design?

2008-06-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

From wikipedia...

Intelligent design movement [was believe to have] as a beginning in 1984 when Jon A. Buell's religious organization the Foundation for Thought and Ethics (FTE) published The Mystery of Life's Origin by creationist chemist Charles B. Thaxton.

"Intelligent design" became more known in response to the 1987 United States Supreme Court Edwards v. Aguillard ruling involving separation of church and state.[3] Its first significant published use was in Of Pandas and People, a 1989 textbook intended for high-school biology classes.

It's vital for all Biology teachers to understand what Intelligent Design is and what is the current working definition? Reply to these two questions:

1. What is your definition of Intelligent Design?
2. What is the current working definition? (from what source did you find from?)

Activity 1: Part 4 - Differences between Creationism and ID?

2008-06-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Creationism and Intelligent Design are the buzzwords for the opponents of Evolution. Your next task is to research the difference between Creationism and Intelligent.

What is the difference between Creationism and Intelligent Design?

Activity 2: Graphic Organizers

2008-06-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

Please upload your graphic organizers here.

Activity 3: Thoughts on "Proving ID = Creationism"

2008-06-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

NCSE's staff worked behind the scenes in the archives to find the missing links tying "intelligent design" to its creationist ancestry.

What are your thoughts?

Activity 3: Thoughts on "Complexity Evolves"

2008-06-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

Intelligent design proponents say the eye is too complex to have evolved. The scientists in this video say, "Look at the evidence."

What are your thoughts?

Activity 3: Thoughts on The National Center for Science Education

2008-06-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

When creationism flares up in the United States, the NCSE is there to put out the fires.

What are your thoughts?

Activity 3: Thoughts on "Chris Comer: Expelled for Real"

2008-06-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

Christine Comer was the Director of Science for the Texas Education Agency for nine years, until she was forced to resign for failing to remain neutral on creationism.

What are your thoughts?

Letters to Parents

2008-06-01T12:28:00.000-07:00

How do you teach Evolution in your classroom? Please attach or copy/paste a letter that you would write to the parents of your students before embarking on the long trip of Evolution in the classroom.