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Interactive Assessment for The Origin of Humans

Launch Interactive
Screen shot of the quiz
Topic
  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Skin & Musculoskeletal System
  • Evolution
  • Paleobiology
  • Human Evolution
Resource Type
  • Interactive Media
  • Interactive Videos
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
16 Users
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Description

A number of questions are embedded within the short film Great Transitions: The Origin of Humans. The film explores the major fossil finds from Africa that provide insights into the evolution of modern humans from a common ancestor we share with other primates.

Like any species, humans have an evolutionary history involving divergence from other animal groups. Paleontologists try to reconstruct this evolutionary history using the fossil record. This film discusses some of the most important hominid fossils and how they illuminate key phases of human evolution, focusing on three traits: larger brains, use of tools, and bipedality.

This version of the film with embedded questions contains automatic pause points, during which students answer questions about the film to assess their understanding of the concepts presented. After answering all the questions, students can view and print their answers.

Student Learning Targets
  • Explain what the fossils discussed in the film reveal about early evolution in the human lineage.
Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, bipedalism, fossil, hominin, Homo erectus, Homo habilis, Laetoli, Lucy, primate, Zinjanthropus

Primary Literature

White, Tim D., Berhane Asfaw, Yonas Beyene, Yohannes Haile-Selassie, C. Owen Lovejoy, Gen Suwa, and Giday WoldeGabriel. “Ardipithecus ramidus and the paleobiology of early hominids.” Science 326, 5949 (2009): 75–86. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1175802.  

To access this article, set up a free AAAS account.

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level

This resource complies with accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published 02.16.16
Date Updated 02.16.16
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

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

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-1.N, EVO-3.G; SP1

IB Biology (2016)

5.1, 5.2

AP Environmental Science (2013)

II.C, III.B

IB Environmental Systems and Societies (2017)

8.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.4

Vision and Change (2009)

CC1; DP1

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