Ichthyic
Posts: 3325
Joined: May 2006
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well, if it were me, I would start with something like what the current standards are, and simply search on the requirements to see if there are well reviewed texts or books that cover them.
example:
http://books.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/6d.html
in that standards listing (for middle school students), we see:
| Quote | DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATIONS OF ORGANISMS
Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganisms are alive today. Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry.
Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.
Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient to allow its survival. Fossils indicate that many organisms that lived long ago are extinct. Extinction of species is common; most of the species that have lived on the earth no longer exist.
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so given that broad understanding of what should be expected of middle school students to learn, I would spend some time at the bookstore or online looking at books that match that general criteria and are well reviewed.
that said, I did find this, which might be helpful:
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci....ces.htm
there is a decent list of potential books that might fit your SO's situation, and some lesson plans too.
ya gotta love a site where the first paragraph calls it like it is:
| Quote | | According to several polls, most public school biology teachers do not accept evolution as a satisfactory explanation of how life changes over time. These teachers believe that Creationism, Intelligent Design Creationism, etc., should be offered along with the "theory" of evolution, and these people sometimes act on these inclinations. This site is not for these teachers, who arguably chose the wrong profession in the first place. |
yup.
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"And the sea will grant each man new hope..."
-CC
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