Complete Science Curriculum For Homeschool Families
This Unit: Evolution And Creationism – Supporting Our Opinions With Evidence
Recommended Completion Time: Two Weeks
Recommended Grade Level: Middle School (5th – 8th Grade)
What This Unit Covers:
In this master badge you will learn about the theory of evolution. You will then compare the principle parts of this theory to creationism. Finally, you will choose a side in the evolution vs. creationism debate, and support your opinion using evidence.
Assignments This Unit Includes:
- A Discovering Lab
- A Literacy Assignment (Reading For Understanding, Writing To Communicate)
- Instruction Video of Science Teacher, Take Notes
- An Applying Lab
Download The Packet (PDF)
Instructional Video That Goes With This Packet
An Important Note About This Unit From Mr. Bertoch
Evolution is a challenging topic to teach in any setting. This is even more true when the audience being targeted are homeschooled families. The dichotomy within the homeschool community around the topic of evolution and creationism is strong and fierce. On the one hand, there is a group who strongly advocates that creationism be taught in science. I will call these individuals “creationists.” Please know that I do not do this in a derogatory manner. On the other hand, there are evolutionists, who fiercely advocate that only evolution should be taught in a science class. Again, please do not think I am using the term evolutionist in a derogatory way. When I wrote the HandsomeScienceTeacher courses, my original intent was to teach evolution and leave creationism out of it. Right up until the moment I recorded this video in fact. Throughout the past year, as I have worked on developing these courses, there has never really been any doubt in my mind that I was going to approach the topic of evolution from a strictly scientific standpoint. Remember, however, that these videos are not scripted. It was perhaps five seconds before I hit the record button, that I mentally called an audible, and decided to instead take a different approach. I decided that perhaps a better way to address evolution was to still teach it in its entirety so that I am true to the science. Which is my job as a science teacher. But, instead of insisting that the theory be accepted as absolute, I would instead use the tension between the two sides to create a unit around the importance of being objective. The truth is, that on this issue both sides lack true objectivity. Both the evolutionists and the creationists tend to be less than willing to consider anything outside of their own views. Evolutionists state that evolution is an absolute fact. That it definitely happened. So strongly are they convinced of this that they typically cannot see their own lack of objectivity. This unwillingness to consider anything outside of evolution to explain the diversity of life on Earth is a problem that runs counter to how science is supposed to be done. They will insist they are objective, but when asked whether they would consider any other explanation for life, they state that there is no need to, because all the evidence points to evolution. Know that I am generalizing. Not all evolutionists are guilty of this lack of objectivity. But, many are. Creationists are often guilty of this as well. Though I will say that I tend to see more open-mindedness among creationists than I do in circles of evolutionists. This is often because believing in creationism does not preclude someone from also believing in evolution. Many who believe in a creator also accept the theory of evolution. The objectivity granted by those who do not need evolution to be true but who are willing to accept it, if evidence can be found to support it, tends to allow for a more honest examination of the evidence. What matters isn’t that intelligent people agree with each other. What matters is only that they able to remain objective as they make up their mind. Which is how I attempt to teach this lesson. By focusing on objectivity, my hope is that I can fully teach evolution, without insisting that it be accepted as absolutely factual. Students who complete this unit will walk away with a full understanding of the science behind evolution. However, they will be given the opportunity to use their own objectivity to draw conclusions about whether or not they believe the theory taught. I think where I perhaps failed though, is that my own biases come out a little too strongly. I apologize for this. In attempting to show countervailing evidence, my own lack of belief in the theory of evolution I think comes through more strongly than I had intended. My plea to the learner is that you ignore my bias. Your job is not to believe me. The views expressed are simply my opinions, where were shared in an effort to show that there are alternative views. Your job is to learn about the theory of evolution. To attempt to remain objective. To examine all the evidence, and then to make up your own mind about it. I respect anyone who disagrees with me. So long as you drew your conclusions objectively.
About HandsomeScienceTeacher Curriculum
All curriculum on this website has been designed by Mr. Bertoch, who is a certified science teacher with three degrees in science and curriculum development. Mr. Bertoch also happens to be the father of six hometaught children, and the grandfather of two hometaught children.
Mr. Bertoch taught in public schools for ten years, where he was the teacher of the year.
This curriculum covers your entire middle school science education (5th – 8th grade). It is based on the Next Generation Science Standards developed by the National Science Foundation. These are the standards used by most states in the United States.
These 64 units cover everything your middle school science student needs to learn between 5th and 8th grade. If they complete these 64 units, they will have a very solid understanding of science.
It is recommended that you complete 16 units per school year. Which should take you approximately 32 total weeks (two weeks per unit). With holiday breaks, spring breaks, and summer break, this is very manageable.