1. Using Fossil Evidence to Investigate Whale Evolution
Activity 5
Using Fossil Evidence to Investigate
Whale Evolution

3. What characteristics do individuals in each of these groups have:
fish?
mammals?
List student ideas on the board. Ask students which group they think whales belong in. If students do not know that they are mammals, explain the characteristics that classify whales as mammals. For more information on having this class discussion see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

4. Read the Introduction.
A fossil is physical evidence of living organisms that has been preserved over geologic time.

5. Challenge
How does fossil evidence determine the relationships of whale ancestors and their descendents?

6. What are the similarities and differences between the two groups of whale fossils?
If students need help distinguishing characteristics within groups and between groups, review with them an example using apples and oranges. Ask students what are the similarities between different types of apples and between different types of oranges. Then ask what are the similarities between apples and oranges. For more information on using this Venn Diagram and for a sample student response see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity and Teacher Resources III: Literacy.

7. Scientific Argumentation
Procedure
Scientific Argumentation
A claim: your conclusion about the most logical placement of A and D on the tree
Evidence: the evidence you gathered that supports the claim
Reasoning: how the evidence you gathered supports the claim
Explain to students that in this activity they will follow a system of scientific argumentation that can be helpful in evaluating scientific ideas and constructing scientific explanations. For suggestions on having this class discussion and examples to share with the students see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

8. Complete Whale Fossil Chart
Have students discuss the information in this image and modify their trees in their science notebooks. Discuss any changes students made and what evidence led them to modify their trees. For more information and suggestions on having this class discussion see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.
This image is from Transparency 5.1, “Complete Whale Fossil Chart.”

9. Whale Evolutionary Tree
Have students discuss the information in this image and modify their trees in their science notebooks if necessary. Be sure to point out the correct placement of fossils A and D on the tree. For more information and suggestions on having this class discussion see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.
This image is from Transparency 5.2, “Whale Evolutionary Tree.”

10. Analysis 4
Explain the changes in the skeletons during the transition in habitat, according to the theory of natural selection.
Analysis Question 4 is an opportunity for a Quick Check assessment of students’ understanding of the process of natural selection. For more information and a sample student response see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

11. Revisit the Challenge
How does fossil evidence determine the relationships of whale ancestors and their descendents?
Review with students how paleontologists use fossil evidence to investigate the evolution of whales. Analysis Question 4 serves as a good summary of the process. For more information and suggestions on having this class discussion see the Teacher’s Edition for this activity.

12. evidence evolution evolutionary tree fossil Key Vocabulary
See Teacher Resources III: Literacy for more information on key vocabulary and the most effective strategies to enhance student vocabulary learning.
Note that bold words are formally defined in this activity. Words in regular font are used in the activity, but not formally defined. The definition of a key vocabulary word should not be discussed as a class prior to the formal definition being introduced.