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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Origins: The Prehistoric Human Race

For Teachers 9th - 12th
When it comes to the origin of the human species high schoolers are full of misconceptions. Clear up the hominid confusion with this evolutionary activity focused on assisting students in understanding prehistoric man and his family...
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Unit Plan
Other

E Fossils: Step by Step: Evolution of Bipedalism

For Students 9th - 10th
In this tutorial, students will identify the fossil evidence for the evolution of bipedalism then hypothesize about the evolutionary pressures affecting bipedal behavior.
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Article
Science Daily

Science Daily: The Oldest Homo Sapiens

For Students 9th - 10th
The oldest fossils of modern humans (Homo Sapiens) found near Omo Kibish, Ethiopia, have been identified as being approximately 196,000 years old. This article points out the amazing significance of these findings.
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Unit Plan
Other

Big History Project: Chapter 4: Humans

For Students 9th - 10th
Big History Project takes a comprhensive look at humans. From evolution to migration, agriculture to complex civilizations, students and teachers will be intrigued by this interactive learning module.
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Graphic
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Human Origins: Human Family Tree

For Students 9th - 10th
Find the human ancestor you are interested in and click on it either in the timeline or the list below for more details. Each fossil or reconstruction pictured includes links to more details about it.
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Website
Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum: Human Origin Exhibit

For Students 9th - 10th
This online exhibit from the Natural History Museum weaves together seven subtopics dealing with human origin and evolution. The topics range from Pildown man and ancient humans to modern humans and chimp research.
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Website
Indiana University

Indiana University: Human Origins and Evolution in Africa

For Students 9th - 10th
A website that catalogs links related to human origins and evolution in Africa. The links contain teaching resources, research information, and images.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Evolution: Origins of Humankind: Homo Sapiens

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a description of Homo sapiens as a species, learn about the variety of Homo sapiens fossils that have been found, and discover evidence of the culture of these early people.
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Handout
Other

Central Oregon Community College: Ancient Africa: From the Beginnings Bc/bce

For Students 9th - 10th
This detailed timeline traces events in ancient Africa, offering links to pictures, more information and biographies.
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Handout
Archaeological Institute of America

Early Homo Erectus Tools in China

For Students 9th - 10th
An article which describes a fossil site in eastern China where evidence has been found that Home erectus may have been active in eastern China some 400,000 years earlier than scientists believed. The authors also summarize the debate...
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Unit Plan
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Homo Habilis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides graphics, as well as explanation, of the remains of Homo habilis.
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Handout
Lin and Don Donn

Lin and Don Donn: Who's Who of Early Man

For Students 3rd - 5th
The little cave man guy with a club welcomes you to the site. Did early man look like him? Mr. Donn has put together a Cheat Sheet of Who's Who of Early Man beginning with the famous Lucy and ending with men that looked a lot like us!
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Unknown Type
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Quiz: How Our Ancestors Evolved

For Students 9th - 10th
A fourteen question quiz about human evolution. Test your knowledge of how our ancestors have evolved.
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Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Lucy and the Leakeys

For Students 9th - 10th
An article that discusses the Leakey's investigations to find human origins in Africa.