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Activity for The Origin of Birds

Photo of a hawk from the video

Topic

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Skin & Musculoskeletal System
  • Evolution
  • Paleobiology

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Film Activities

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
10 Users
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Description

This activity explores the concepts and research presented in the short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Birds, including key fossil discoveries that reveal the evolutionary relationships between birds and theropod dinosaurs.

The Origin of Birds explores the evidence that birds descended from a group of carnivorous dinosaurs called theropods. By following this trail of discovery, the film illustrates many of the iterative and inquiry-based practices of science: asking important questions, formulating and testing hypotheses, analyzing and interpreting evidence, and revising explanations as new evidence becomes available. The “Student Handout” probes students’ understanding of the key concepts addressed in the film. The “Educator Materials” document provides suggested pause points in the film with questions for students, background information, and detailed discussion points; a list of related resources and references; and an answer key for the “Student Handout.”

 

Student Learning Targets

  • Describe the key fossil evidence that supports the claim that birds are dinosaurs.

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

Archaeopteryx, Deinonychus, dinosaur, feather, fossil, theropod

Primary Literature

Ostrom, John H. “Osteology of Deinonychus antirrhopus, an Unusual Theropod from the Lower Cretaceous of Montana.” Peabody Museum of Natural History Bulletin 30 (1969): 1–165.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Version History

Date Published 07.24.15
Date Updated 12.01.16

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-1, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.C, EVO-1.O, EVO-1.N, EVO-3.G, SYI-2.C; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 10.3

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.6, 2.7
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, SP1, SP3

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2, ELA.WHST.9-12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1, CC2; DP1

Materials

Student Quiz (PDF) 7 MB
In-Depth Film Guide for Teachers (PDF) 7 MB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
Great Transitions: The Origin of Birds

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
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1-Minute Tips

The Origin of Birds

Valerie May explains how she uses the BioInteractive short film "Great Transitions: The Origin of Birds," along with its related activities, with her students. She also notes that many of BioInteractive's resources align to NGSS standards.
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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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Teaching Geological and Evolutionary Processes Using Mass Extinctions
6 Resources
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