Skip to main content
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Español
  • Site Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • BioInteractive Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Activity for The Origin of Humans

Image of the Ardi fossil from the film

Topic

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

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Film Activities

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Saved By
20 Users
Share This
View in Spanish

Description

This activity explores the concepts and research on the evolutionary origins of humans discussed in the short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans.

The film highlights important hominid fossil discoveries of the past 50 years and the insights they provide into human evolution. The research described in the film focuses on three key human traits: bipedalism, tool use, and larger brains.

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.”

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain how the fossil record details the history of life on Earth, including transitions from one major group of animals to another.
  • Recognize that major transitions often occur in distinct phases, as shown by the evolution of humans from quadrupedal apes.
  • Describe how fossil evidence provides information on the evolution of traits in humans and other organisms.
     

Estimated Time

Two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

anthropology, Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, bipedalism, fossil, hominin, Laetoli, primate, Zinjanthropus

Primary Literature

Leakey, L. S. B. “A New Fossil Skull from Olduvai.” Nature 184, 4685 (1959): 491–493. https://doi.org/10.1038/184491a0. 

Lovejoy, C. Owen. “The Origin of Man.” Science 211, 4480 (1981): 341–350. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.211.4480.341. 

White, Tim D., Gen Suwa, and Berhane Asfaw. “Australopithecus ramidus, A New Species of Early Hominid from Aramis, Ethiopia.” Nature 371, 6495 (1994): 306–312. https://doi.org/10.1038/371306a0. 

Terms of Use

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

Version History

Date Published 02.13.15
Date Updated 04.30.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS4-1; SP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.M, EVO-1.N, EVO-3.B; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

5.1, 5.4, 10.3

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 2.6, 2.7
Learning Objectives & Practices: ERT-2.H, SP1, SP4

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

8.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.WHST.9-12.1
MP2

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1; DP1

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Student Quiz (PDF) 369 KB
In-Depth Film Guide for Teachers (PDF) 2 MB
In-Depth Film Guide for Teachers - Español (PDF) 403 KB
Student Quiz - Español (PDF) 122 KB

Use This Resource With

Video Resource
Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans

Explore Related Content

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Skeletons Reveal Human and Chimpanzee Evolution
Computer image of Tiktaalik from the video
Film Activities
Activity for Your Inner Fish
Photo comparing types of teeth from the activity
Click & Learn
Human Origins
Image of a human skeleton from the interactive
Click & Learn
Explore Your Inner Animals
Photo of the head of the Tiktaalik fossil
Short Films
Great Transitions: The Origin of Tetrapods
Photo of Neil Shubin with a monkey on his shoulder
Feature Films
Your Inner Monkey
Image of a human precursor fossil from the film
Short Films
Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans
Screen shot of the quiz
Interactive Videos
Interactive Assessment for The Origin of Humans
Photo of a hawk from the video
Film Activities
Activity for The Origin of Birds
Image of a bird from the film
Short Films
Great Transitions: The Origin of Birds
HHMI BioInteractive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility