Biology, genetics and evolution: the variation between species and…
Biology, genetics and evolution: the variation between species and between individuals of the same species means some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection; changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction. (Chromosomes, DNA, genes and gene banks are not taught here.)
The National curriculum in England: science programmes of study, Key Stages 1–3 outcome for Years 7–9 says: “Biology, genetics and evolution: the variation between species and between individuals of the same species means some organisms compete more successfully, which can drive natural selection; changes in the environment may leave individuals within a species, and some entire species, less well adapted to compete successfully and reproduce, which in turn may lead to extinction. (Chromosomes, DNA, genes and gene banks are not taught here.)” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson.
Natural Selection: How Living Things Change Over Time Grades 6–8 · partly supports this outcome
A peppered moth hunting game over four generations, the Grants' real Galápagos finch data from the 1977 drought, whale fossils in rock-layer order with a forelimb bone comparison, and five case stations on selective breeding and antibiotic resistance. Every lesson runs on printed sheets alone: no materials to buy.
- Why do some animals survive and others don't? 50–60 min
Teams play hungry birds hunting printed light and dark peppered moths on printed clean and sooty bark, over four generations, and graph how the moth population changes. Then they explain the real peppered moth story: variation, survival and reproduction, not moths trying to change.
- What did the Grants find on the Galápagos? 50–60 min
Teams play out a drought on a Galápagos island with printed finch and seed cards, then graph the real data Peter and Rosemary Grant collected when a drought in 1977 killed most of the medium ground finches. Students calculate how much the average beak changed and explain why.
- How do fossils show life has changed? 50–60 min
Teams build a rock column from printed fossil cards of early whales, from a four-legged land animal to a sea creature with tiny hind legs, and track the changes. Then they compare the bones in a human arm, a cat's leg, a whale's flipper, a bat's wing and a bird's wing, and explain what the shared pattern says about relationships.
More England Years 7–9 science outcomes we teach
Every England Years 7–9 science curriculum outcome we teach
Every unit matched to England's curriculum · All places and curricula
Three full lessons, free
Make a free account and download any three Fieldbook lessons as printable PDFs. No card needed.