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Lesson Plan
Other

E Fossils: Lessons: Who Is Lucy?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this lesson, discover the significance of Lucy. Identify what life was like for Lucy through study of her diet, appearance, method of movement and how scientists believe she is related to humans. Use the activities provided to...
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Graphic
Other

University of Texas at Austin: E Lucy: Compare Lucy

For Students 9th - 10th
Lucy was an early hominin known as Australopithecus afarensis. Compare Lucy's bones to that of a chimpanzee or a modern human.
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Asustralopithecus Afarensis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource offers an excellent definition of the species, Australopithecus afarensis.
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Handout
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Donald C. Johanson, ph.d.

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the anthropologist Donald C. Johanson, Ph.D. who discovered the Lucy skeleton. Read about his background and achievements, listen to an interview, and view a gallery of pictures.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Riddle of the Bones

For Students 9th - 10th
At the online companion Web site of "Evolution," the seven-episode series on PBS, piece together clues to how one of our early ancestors looked as you examine images from four significant fossil finds of Australopithecus afarensis.
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Graphic
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Laetoli Trackways Diagram

For Students 9th - 10th
View a diagram of the hominid footprints that archaeologist Mary Leakey's team found at Laetoli in Tanzania.
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Graphic
University of Texas at Austin

E Fossils: Life Size Printout of "Lucy" Adult Australopithecus Afarensis [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A printout to help students identify the parts of "Lucy" and her size.
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Handout
Talk Origins Archive

Talkorigins: Biography: Donald Johanson

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Donald Johanson, an anthropologist who has discovered many homo erectus skeletons.
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Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Shoulder Bones Fuel Debate

For Students 9th - 10th
A shoulder blade was recently discovered that belonged to a 3-year-old humanlike female who lived more than 3 million years ago. Scientists are studying the fossil to learn whether the creature climbed trees.
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Article
BBC

Bbc: 'Lucy's Baby' Found in Ethiopia

For Students 9th - 10th
In September 2006, the bones of a female Australopithecus Afarensis were unearthed. This extremely rare juvenile specimen allowed scientists a new insight into characteristics of an important human ancestor.
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Website
Other

Archaeology Info: Australopithecus Afarensis

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides information on the Australopithecus afarensis, a species that is believed to be a human ancestor.
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Handout
Other

Washington State University: Hominid Species Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
This complete resource contains a chronological chart that shows the main hominid species and their approximate relationships in time. A description of each hominid is included as well.
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Article
Science Daily

Science Daily: Earliest Baby Girl Ever Discovered

For Students 9th - 10th
Article provides a good overview of the exciting find of a three-year-old girl skeleton dating from 3.3 million years ago as well as the significant scientific contributions of this find.
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Handout
Talk Origins Archive

Talk Origins: The Hominid Species

For Students 9th - 10th
Talk Origins gives a broad description of the types of Hominid species, and then gives a description of each species. Includes the specific characteristics of each, and explains the differences between the species.
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Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers:how Did Humans Evolve?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Explore paleoanthropology by going on a virtual "dig" to answer questions about famous fossil finds. Explain how alternate hominid family trees result from different interpretations of the same fossil evidence.
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Handout
Other

Cartage.org: Australopithecus Afarensis

For Students 9th - 10th
This essay provides a picture along with brief physical description of one of modern man's earliest ancestors.
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Graphic
Curated OER

Australopithecus Afarensis Image: Zeresenay Alemseged

For Students 9th - 10th
In September of 2006 the bones of a female Australopithecus Afarensis were unearthed. This extremely rare juvenile specimen allowed scientists a new insight into characteristics of an important human ancestor. Learn more about this...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Dikika Girl Bones Image: Max Planck Institute

For Students 9th - 10th
In September of 2006 the bones of a female Australopithecus Afarensis were unearthed. This extremely rare juvenile specimen allowed scientists a new insight into characteristics of an important human ancestor. Learn more about this...