Term

Fall 12-14-2015

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAT

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Barbara Swanson

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Irina Makarevitch

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Shannon Lee

Abstract

The research question addressed in this capstone was, how can the 5-E Learning Cycle Model of Instruction be used to develop a differentiated science unit on evolution based on six Minnesota evolution standards? The capstone documents a middle school life science teacher’s experience developing a curriculum for teaching evolution in a nontraditional way. The author explores the difficulties in teaching evolution with a traditional approach by researching experts in the field of both Evolutionary Biology and secondary science instruction. Through the use of the 5-E Learning Cycle Model of Instruction, the author develops an inquiry-based and hands-on curriculum to teach the middle school evolution teaching standards. The author gives examples of these lessons providing a concrete demonstration of the 5-E Learning Cycle Model of Instruction.

Research Methodology

Curriculum Development

Keywords

Curriculum, Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Science, Teachers/ Teaching

Included in

Education Commons

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