Ancestry Archive Teacher Guide Ancestry Archive
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Subject
Biology / HS-LS4-1
NGSS Standard
HS-LS4-1: Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence (e.g., similarities in DNA sequences, anatomical structures, and order of appearance of structures in embryological development).
Engage
The Mystery Whales
Use the Ancestry Archive Slides to introduce Basilosaurus . Ask: "How can a sea creature have knees?" Students brainstorm how fossils link modern species to terrestrial ancestors.
Explore
The Evidence File
Distribute the Ancestry Archive Worksheet . Students rotate through exhibits (fossils, anatomy, molecular) to analyze raw data and identify patterns of homology.
Explain
Formal Synthesis
Use slides to formalize vocabulary (homologous, vestigial, molecular clocks). Connect the "Exhibits" to the broader concept of the universal genetic code.
Elaborate
Collaborative: Ancestry Advisory Board
Collaborative Phase: Group students (3-4) and provide the Ancestry Advisory Cards and the Group Report .
Teams act as an expert board, sorting "blind" evidence into 3 lineages (Whale, Bird, Human). They must debate which evidence is most conclusive and defend their reasoning collectively before signing the report.
Evaluate
Species Mystery CER
Individual assessment using the Exit Ticket . Students use their refined understanding to communicate evidence for a novel desert-bird case study.
Teacher Reference: Advisory Board Key
LINEAGE ALPHA
Whale Evolution
Fossil: Dorudon (hind limbs)
Anatomy: Vestigial hip bones
DNA: Milk protein (Hippo link)
LINEAGE BETA
Bird Evolution
Fossil: Archaeopteryx
Anatomy: Furcula (wishbone)
DNA: Crocodilian clade link
LINEAGE GAMMA
Human Evolution
Fossil: Lucy (bipedalism)
Anatomy: Coccyx (tailbone)
DNA: Chromosome 2 fusion
Facilitating Discussion
During Sorting:
Prompt groups: "Look at ID B-A. Why would a T-Rex bone belong with a bird case file?" This pushes them to consider anatomical homology over outward appearance.
The "Smoking Gun":
Ask: "Was there any card that completely changed your mind about a lineage?" Usually, DNA cards for whales/birds surprise students the most.
Ancestry Archive Slides Ancestry Archive
Evidence for Common Descent
Case File: HS-LS4-1
Exhibit A: The Whale with Knees
Meet Basilosaurus . It lived 40 million years ago and was 60 feet long. It lived entirely in the ocean.
"Why would a sea creature have functional pelvic bones and knee joints?"
Skeleton showing small, vestigial hind limbs
Evidence File #40-MT
The Four Pillars of Evidence
Fossils
The historical record of transition.
Anatomy
Similar structures, different functions.
Embryology
Common blueprints of development.
Molecular
The universal genetic code.
Evidence Line 01
The Fossil Record
Shows transitional species .
Older fossils are in deeper layers.
Reveals traits that emerge or fade.
Modern Whale
Basilosaurus
Pakicetus (Walking)
Fossils connect land mammals to ocean giants.
Homologous Structures
Features that share a common origin but may serve different functions.
Example: The Tetrapod Limb
Humans (grab), Bats (fly), and Whales (swim) all have the exact same bone pattern!
[Diagram: Homologous Forelimbs]
Vestigial
"Leftover" parts with no current function (e.g., human tailbone).
Analogous
Similar for survival, NOT for ancestry (e.g., shark vs. dolphin fins).
Evidence Line 04
The Universal Language
All living things use DNA and RNA . The closer the DNA sequence, the more recently two species shared an ancestor.
Percent Similarity to Humans
Chimpanzee
98.8%
Mouse
85%
Fruit Fly
60%
Ancestry Advisory Board
It's time to join your expert team. You will be given a set of mystery evidence cards. Your mission:
1. SORT
Group the cards into 3 lineages: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.
2. DEBATE
Discuss which evidence is most convincing for each case.
3. DEFEND
Collaborate on your Team Briefing Report and reach a consensus.
Ancestry Archive Worksheet Ancestry Archive: Evidence File
SUB-FILE: HS-LS4-1 / BIO-ARCHIVE
Detective:
Date:
Mission Objective
In this archive, you will analyze four lines of empirical evidence to support the theory of common ancestry. Complete each exhibit by examining the data and drawing conclusions based on biological patterns.
1
Exhibit 1: The Fossil Record
Below are sketches of horse ancestors from different geological layers. Modern horses are much larger and have one toe (hoof) compared to their 4-toed ancestors.
Modern Horse (Equus) Surface Layer
Merychippus 15 Million Years Ago
Hyracotherium Deepest Layer (50 MYA)
[Fossil Comparison Space]
Analysis Question:
How does the progression of horse fossils across layers support the idea of evolution?
2
Exhibit 2: Comparative Anatomy
Instructions: Homologous structures have the same bone pattern. Identify the bones in each animal limb by using the color code below.
Humerus (Red)
Radius/Ulna (Blue)
Carpals (Yellow)
Phalanges (Green)
[Diagram: Human Arm]
Human
[Diagram: Bat Wing]
Bat
[Diagram: Whale Flipper]
Whale
Analysis Question:
Why do these animals have the same bones if they use their limbs for completely different tasks (grabbing, flying, swimming)?
3
Exhibit 3: Molecular Biology
Compare the amino acid sequence for Cytochrome C (a protein used in cellular respiration) across different species. Circle any differences compared to the Human sequence.
Organism Sequence Segment # of Differences Human G L F G R K T G Q A 0 Chimpanzee G L F G R K T G Q A _____ Rabbit G L F G R K V G Q A _____ Tuna Fish A L F G R K A G Q S _____
Analysis Question:
Based on this data, which organism is the most distant relative of humans? Use evidence from the table to justify your answer.
Archive Conclusion
Select ONE line of evidence from today. Explain how it proves that life on Earth is related through a common ancestor.
Ancestry Archive Exit Ticket Species Mystery Exit Ticket
Topic: Communicating Evidence of Evolution
Case No.
HS-LS4-1
Student Name
Period
THE CHALLENGE
A scientist discovers a new species in a desert that has small, non-functional wing stubs and DNA that is 95% identical to a local bird species. Use your "Bio-Detective" skills to write a scientific argument explaining how this provides evidence of common ancestry.
Claim
(What is your main point about the new species and the bird?)
Evidence
(List at least two specific pieces of evidence from the prompt.)
Reasoning
(Connect your evidence to the biological concept of common ancestry.)
Scientific Review Checklist
DNA Data Included
Vestigial Structures Mentioned
Ancestry Clearly Linked
Ancestry Advisory Cards Ancestry Advisory Board: Evidence Cards
Instructions: Cut out these cards. In your groups, sort the evidence cards into three distinct "Case Files." Each case file must contain one Fossil, one Anatomy, and one Molecular evidence card.
CARD ID: A-F
FOSSIL RECORD
Dorudon atrox
A 40-million-year-old fossil. It was a fully aquatic animal but possessed tiny, well-formed hind limbs that were disconnected from its spine.
Mystery Lineage Alpha
CARD ID: A-A
ANATOMICAL
Pelvic Remnants
Modern baleen whales have small, internal pelvic bones that serve no purpose in swimming but are homologous to the hip bones of land-dwelling mammals.
Mystery Lineage Alpha
CARD ID: A-M
MOLECULAR
Beta-casein Protein
Analysis of milk proteins shows that the Hippopotamus is the closest living relative to modern whales, sharing more DNA than with any other land mammal.
Mystery Lineage Alpha
CARD ID: B-F
FOSSIL RECORD
Archaeopteryx
A fossil showing a blend of traits: it has feathers like a bird, but also a long bony tail, claws on its wings, and teeth like a dinosaur.
Mystery Lineage Beta
CARD ID: B-A
ANATOMICAL
The Furcula
Birds possess a "wishbone" (furcula) required for flight. Surprisingly, many theropod dinosaurs (like T-Rex) also possessed this exact same bone structure.
Mystery Lineage Beta
CARD ID: B-M
MOLECULAR
Crocodilian Clade
Genetic sequencing of modern birds shows that their closest living relatives are crocodiles and alligators, not lizards or snakes.
Mystery Lineage Beta
CARD ID: C-F
FOSSIL RECORD
Australopithecus afarensis
The "Lucy" fossil. It shows a pelvis and leg bones shaped for walking upright, but a brain size and face shape much more similar to an ape.
Mystery Lineage Gamma
CARD ID: C-A
ANATOMICAL
Coccyx (Tailbone)
Humans have a tailbone consisting of four fused vertebrae. In our embryonic stage, we have a clear tail that is absorbed as we grow, leaving only the vestigial bone.
Mystery Lineage Gamma
CARD ID: C-M
MOLECULAR
Chromosome 2
Human Chromosome 2 was formed by the fusion of two ancestral primate chromosomes. We still see the "extra" telomeres and centromeres inside the DNA sequence.
Mystery Lineage Gamma
Ancestry Archive Group Report Team Briefing Report
Collective Evidence Synthesis: HS-LS4-1
Advisory Board Members
Final Case Ruling
Authorized Group Signature
Evidence Matrix
After sorting your cards, record the Card IDs that belong to each lineage. As a group, identify the "Target Organism" for each case.
Case File Fossil ID Anatomy ID Molecular ID Target Organism Alpha A-F A-A A-M Beta Gamma
1. The "Smoking Gun" Debate
Discuss within your group: Which piece of evidence in **Lineage Beta** was the most controversial or surprising? Why did your group decide it linked birds to dinosaurs?
2. Molecular Superiority?
Some scientists argue that DNA evidence (Molecular) is enough on its own. Does your group agree? Or do the fossils and anatomy add something that DNA cannot? Explain your collective reasoning.
Official Record of the Ancestry Advisory Board