Charles Darwin and finches
I can model how different shaped beaks are adapted to suit different food sources.
Charles Darwin and finches
I can model how different shaped beaks are adapted to suit different food sources.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Charles Darwin was an English scientist who studied nature.
- In 1831, Darwin set sail to study the plants and animals living on the coasts of South America.
- Darwin observed that the beak shape of finches was best suited to the food sources found on different Galapagos Islands.
- Darwin’s observations led him to wonder how new species developed.
- Darwin’s ideas about how living things adapt to suit their environments would eventually change people’s ideas.
Keywords
Charles Darwin - Charles Darwin was an English scientist who studied nature.
Observations - We make observations when we look closely at something and use other senses, too.
Species - A species is a group of animals or plants that are similar and can have babies together.
Finch - A finch is a type of small bird with a short beak.
Adapted - A species that is well suited to its environment has adaptations that help it survive there.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that animals, such as finches with differently shaped beaks, have been able to change or adapt during their lifetime based on the conditions they live in.
Explain that adaptations take many years and generations of animals to happen and it is not possible for an animal or plant to change like this during its lifetime.
Equipment
See Additional Material
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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