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Online Lessons for Teachers: Learning Evolution
  How Did Humans Evolve?
 Scientific Terms






As humans, we have long been interested in our origins. The idea that humans evolved from monkeys is in fact untrue. Humans and all other primates evolved from a common ancestor. Humans have continued evolving since then, and we are still evolving, but at a rate that is so gradual we cannot observe it in the course of a lifetime. In this lesson, you will explore interactive Web features and learn how paleoanthropologists learn about our ancestors.

Image of a fossil.

Activity 1: Fossil Finding
Choose a site, and start digging! You are guaranteed to find something interesting in this Web activity and along the way you will learn how scientists study human ancestors.

Teacher Notes

Image of a human skull.

Activity 2: A Tree Full of Ancestors
Examine three versions of a hominid family tree based on the same fossil evidence but different interpretations. Explore how future discoveries will help confirm or revise our understanding of our ancestors.

Teacher Notes

Additional Activities
We want to hear from you! Take part in an interactive poll on the inevitability of intelligent life, and make your opinion count.
