Homeschooling Resources to teach evolution
The Associated Press recently reported "Top Homeschool Texts dismiss Darwin, evolution" and while I disagree with much of the article, as a homeschooler who chooses to teach my children about evolution, the headline is certainly true, and I and my friends have struggled to find homeschool-friendly science curricula that teach evolution, and don't take a creation science perspective. The AP's article motivated me to really dig, and I've found some resources I'd like to share.
Complete Curricula
Life Through Time is a 7 session curriculum for grades 5-8 by Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. There is an introductory session, then 5 sessions, each about a specific period in the life of the planet, and then a concluding session. As you progress through time in the curriculum, a terrarium and aquarium are stocked with an increasingly diverse range of species (both real and plastic). Based on the description on the website, I'm extremely intrigued about this program-- watch for a full review soon!
UCOpenaccess Biology A complete High School Biology course offered online by the University of California. Even the textbook is online and free. This Biology course not only includes evolution, but uses it as the backbone of the curriculum. There are virtual labs that accompany the curriculum.
UCOpenAccess AP Biology with Virtual Labs A complete AP Biology course, available online for free. The textbook does need to be purchased separately. It's Biology by Neil A. Campbell and Jane B. Reece and is available new and used on Amazon. The virtual labs are probably not quite the same as a "real" lab, but they are pretty well done, and it sure beats having a fetal pig dissection in your kitchen.
Lesson Plans
Tree of Life Web Project: Treehouses Lesson plans, projects, games, webquests and more, all related to evolution, genetics, and life science.
Understanding Evolution for Teachers is a resource developed by the the University of California Museum of Paleontology. It includes both general advice about teaching evolution to all ages, background material for the instructor, and lesson plans for k-12.
The Biology Corner worksheets, lesson plans and other links. Be sure to try the "Peppered Moth Online Simulation".
Interactive websites and Online Resources
Evolving Planet by the Field Museum in Chicago. A rich online companion to the museum's exhibition. Includes lots of dinosaurs, an interactive timeline, and tons of information about paleontology.
Adventures at Dry Creek a virtual field study at a fossil dig in Montana. Middle School
Virtual Age-Dating an online lesson that teaches how geologists and archeologists are able to accurately date their samples. High School (our review )
Understanding Evolution at Home is a sister site to "Understanding Evolution for Teachers" listed above. It includes basic information about evolution (see Evolution 101 ) "Evolution in the News" and articles by scientists about varous topics related to evolution. There's lots here, but it will take some creativity to use it with elementary aged kids. High School level kids could browse the site on their own.
Evolvovision Watch an animation of life evolve from a single cell to a cheeseburger seeking modern man. Then visit The way we were for more information on each step in the animation. Better done than most science animations.
Becoming Human Focuses on human evolution. Includes an interactive timeline and an interactive documentary. The documentary can be downloaded and watched offline.
Who wants to live a million years? A cute natural selection game from the Science Channel in honor of Darwin's birthday.
Homeschool Science Curriculum table from Homeschooling Free thinkers. Lists a variety of common homeschool science curricula, and where they fit on the Creation science/Evolution spectrum.
Blog posts
Evolution Resources for Kids and Families at GeekDad by Kathy Ceceri of Home Biology and FarmSchool.
Family Online: Evolution even more links fron Kathy Ceceri
Useful and fun stuff (non-virtual)
Charlie's Playhouse offers flipbooks, giant evolution timelines and other fun stuff to teach about evolution.
Did I miss anything? Please add your suggestions in the comments.
(The point of this post is to support homeschoolers who want to teach evolution, not to change anyone's mind about what they ought to be teaching their children. Please don't debate evolution vs. creationism here-- comments of that nature will be deleted, as it undermines that support.)
