Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. To understand the concept of extinction, its causes, and its importance in the process of evolution.
2. To explore various examples of extinct species and understand how their extinction has influenced the diversity of life on Earth.
3. To develop critical thinking skills by analyzing the impact of human activities on the extinction of species and considering possible solutions.

Secondary Objectives:

• To foster an appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth and the need for its preservation.
• To enhance collaborative learning through the use of group activities and discussions.
• To improve research skills by using online resources to gather information about extinct species and their causes of extinction.

The teacher will introduce these objectives at the beginning of the lesson to provide students with a clear understanding of what they will be learning and what is expected of them. The objectives will also be displayed on the board throughout the lesson as a reminder.

Introduction (8 - 10 minutes)

1. The teacher will begin by reminding students of the previous lessons on evolution, emphasizing the role of natural selection and adaptation in the survival of species. This will serve as the necessary groundwork for understanding the concept of extinction and its significance in the process of evolution. (2 minutes)

2. The teacher will then present two problem situations to the class:

   • The first problem could be about a hypothetical situation where a species of bird with a unique beak, adapted to feed on a specific type of fruit, suddenly faces a scarcity of this fruit due to a change in the environment. The teacher will ask: "What do you think might happen to this bird species if it cannot find enough food?" (2 minutes)

   • The second problem could be about the extinction of the dodo bird, a real-life example of a species that became extinct due to human activities. The teacher will ask: "Why do you think the dodo bird became extinct while other bird species survived?" (2 minutes)

3. The teacher will contextualize the importance of the subject by explaining how understanding extinction is crucial for our current environmental challenges. The teacher might say: "We are currently facing a global biodiversity crisis, with species going extinct at an alarming rate. By studying the past extinctions, we can learn valuable lessons about our impact on the environment and how to prevent future extinctions." (1 minute)

4. To capture the students' interest, the teacher will share two intriguing facts:

   • The first fact could be about the coelacanth, a fish species thought to have gone extinct with the dinosaurs but was rediscovered in 1938. The teacher might say: "Can you imagine the surprise of scientists when they found a living coelacanth, a species that was thought to have died out millions of years ago?" (1 minute)

   • The second fact could be about the passenger pigeon, a bird species that was once the most abundant in North America but went extinct in the early 20th century. The teacher might say: "Did you know that the passenger pigeon's extinction was largely due to human hunting? It's a stark reminder of how our actions can have a devastating impact on other species." (1 minute)

The teacher will then formally introduce the topic of extinction, explaining that it is the permanent disappearance of a species from the Earth. The teacher will also introduce the term "mass extinction" to refer to the phenomenon when a large number of species go extinct in a relatively short period of time, usually due to drastic environmental changes. The teacher will end the introduction by stating that the students will be exploring various examples of extinct species and their causes of extinction in the coming lessons. This will pique the students' curiosity and set the stage for the rest of the lesson. (2 minutes)

Development

Pre-Class Activities (10 - 15 minutes)

1. The teacher will assign the students the task of researching and making a list of at least five extinct species from different periods (e.g., dinosaur era, ice age, recent history). The students will also note down the reasons or theories behind their extinction. This activity will help the students to familiarize themselves with a variety of extinct species and their respective causes of extinction.

2. The students will watch a pre-selected educational video at home that covers the general concept of extinction and its importance in the process of evolution. The video will provide an overview of the topic and introduce students to the idea that extinction is a natural part of the evolutionary process. This will help the students to approach the class with some basic knowledge and understanding of the topic.

3. The students will also read a short article about the impact of human activities on contemporary extinctions. The article will highlight the role of habitat destruction, overhunting, and climate change in the current wave of extinctions. This activity will encourage students to think critically about the role of human activities in the extinction of species, setting the stage for the in-class discussion.

In-Class Activities (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Activity 1: Evolutionary Role-Play Extinction Game (10 - 15 minutes)

   • The teacher will divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific extinct species. The species can be from the list the students created in the pre-class activity. The species should vary, including examples from different time periods and different causes of extinction.

   • Each group will be given time to research their assigned species using their pre-class work and additional resources. They need to understand the species' characteristics, its role in the ecosystem, and the reasons behind its extinction.

   • Following this, a "mass extinction event" will be simulated. The teacher, acting as an environmental disaster, will announce the event, which could be a volcanic eruption, an asteroid impact, or a sudden climate change. Each group must then discuss and decide how this event would affect their assigned species, leading to its extinction or potential survival. They will also discuss the possible impacts of their species' extinction on the ecosystem.

   • After the discussions, each group will present their species, its role in the ecosystem, the causes of its extinction, and the possible impacts of its extinction. The teacher will facilitate the discussion, ensuring that all students understand each group's presentation.

2. Activity 2: The Extinct Species Gallery Walk (10 - 15 minutes)

   • The teacher will prepare a gallery walk activity that involves images and short descriptions of various extinct species, both well-known and more obscure. The images could include dinosaurs, dodo birds, mammoths, and more.

   • The class will be divided into small groups and will rotate through each station. At each station, the group will examine the image and description and answer some questions in their worksheets. The questions could include "What was the likely cause of this species' extinction?", "What role might this species have played in its ecosystem?", and "What can we learn from the extinction of this species?".

   • The teacher will provide guidance and clarification as the groups work their way through the gallery. The activity will be designed to be interactive and engaging, enabling students to explore various extinct species and the reasons for their extinction in a fun and collaborative way.

These in-class activities will provide students with a hands-on and engaging way to explore the topic of extinction. The role-play game will allow students to apply their knowledge of extinct species in a simulated scenario, while the gallery walk will encourage them to investigate and analyze different case studies of extinction. By participating in these activities, students will not just learn about the concept of extinction but also develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the complex dynamics of life on Earth.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher will facilitate a group discussion where each group will share the solutions they found during the activities. This will allow students to learn from each other and gain a broader understanding of the subject. The teacher will ensure that each group has an opportunity to present and will guide the discussion to ensure that it stays on topic and all students are engaged.

   • The teacher will ask each group to share their conclusions about the impact of the simulated mass extinction event on their assigned species and the potential effects on the ecosystem. This will help students to understand the interconnectedness of species within an ecosystem and the potential cascade of effects that can occur when a species becomes extinct.

   • The teacher will also ask each group to share their insights from the gallery walk, particularly about the different causes of extinction and the species' roles in their respective ecosystems. This will allow students to see a wide range of examples and understand that extinction can occur for various reasons and have different impacts.

2. Reflection Time (2 - 3 minutes)

   • After the group discussion, the teacher will ask the students to take a moment to reflect on what they have learned. The teacher will pose questions such as: "What was the most important concept you learned today?", "What questions do you still have about extinction?", and "How can we apply what we've learned about extinction to our current environmental challenges?".

   • The teacher will encourage students to share their reflections, promoting a classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and asking questions. The teacher will also provide their own insights and address any remaining questions or misunderstandings.

3. Summarize and Connect (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher will wrap up the lesson by summarizing the key points about extinction and its role in the process of evolution. The teacher will also recap the different causes of extinction and the impacts on ecosystems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living organisms.

   • The teacher will then connect the lesson back to the real world, explaining how the knowledge and understanding of extinction can help us in our current efforts to conserve biodiversity and combat climate change. The teacher might say: "By studying the past extinctions, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and take actions to prevent future extinctions. This is why it's so important to understand the causes of extinction and the role of human activities in it."

By the end of the feedback stage, students should have a clear understanding of the concept of extinction, its causes, and its importance in the process of evolution. They should also have a deeper appreciation for the diversity of life on Earth and the need for its preservation. The teacher will assess the students' understanding based on their participation in the group activities, their contributions to the group discussions, and their reflections on what they have learned.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Summary and Recap (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher will begin the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. This includes the definition of extinction, its causes, and its role in the process of evolution. The teacher will also recap the key examples of extinct species that were discussed in the lesson, emphasizing the different causes of their extinction and the impacts on their respective ecosystems.

   • The teacher will then highlight how the lesson connected theory, practice, and real-world applications. The teacher will point out that the pre-class activities allowed students to gain a theoretical understanding of the topic, the in-class activities provided them with a practical, hands-on experience, and the discussions and reflections helped them to see the real-world implications of the topic.

2. Additional Materials (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher will suggest additional materials for students who are interested in further exploring the topic. This could include documentaries about extinct species, books about the history of life on Earth, and websites where students can learn more about current efforts to prevent extinctions and conserve biodiversity.

   • The teacher will also encourage students to continue researching about the topic on their own and to bring any interesting findings or questions to the next class.

3. Relevance to Everyday Life (1 minute)

   • Lastly, the teacher will explain the importance of the topic for everyday life. The teacher will stress that understanding extinction is not just about learning about the past, but also about understanding our current environmental challenges and how to address them.

   • The teacher might say: "The knowledge we gained today about extinction can help us to appreciate the biodiversity around us and understand the impacts of our actions on the environment. By learning from the past, we can make informed decisions and take actions to prevent future extinctions."

   • The teacher will also remind students that they are the future stewards of the Earth and that it is their responsibility to protect the species that are currently at risk of extinction.

By the end of the conclusion, students should feel confident in their understanding of the topic, motivated to further explore the subject, and aware of the importance of their role in preventing future extinctions. The teacher will end the lesson by encouraging students to apply what they have learned to their everyday lives and to share their knowledge with others.