Moth

Isabel Thomas

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
ISBN: 9781408889756
Price: £12.99

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Synopsis

"This is a story of light and dark..."
Against a lush backdrop of lichen-covered trees, the peppered moth lies hidden. Until the world begins to change...

Along come people with their magnificent machines which stain the land with soot. In a beautiful landscape changed by humans how will one little moth survive?

Powerful and visually spectacular, Moth: An Evolution Story is a true story that captures the struggle of animal survival against the background of a changing human world in a unique and atmospheric introduction to Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Discussion Ideas

Download the PDF for the full Resource Pack, above.

The five lessons and reflection tasks included in the pack have been designed as sequential activities and can be taught as part of a combined Literacy and science 'Adaptation, Inheritance and Evolution' unit, or as standalone activities. Their overall objective is to give pupils the opportunity to explore what we mean by these terms, as well as to give them the chance to investigate and appreciate the environment in which they live.

Activities

The Resource Pack provides material for five or more, hour-long lessons that can take place as part of combined Literacy and science lessons (in particular during 'Adaptation, Inheritance and Evolution' units), or as extra-curricular activities.

Lesson 1 - Inheritance: My Parents and Me
Objective: To recognise that characteristics are passed from parents to offspring and that living things change over time
Outcome: Decorated moth wings showing what the creatures have inherited from their parents

Lesson 2 - Charles Darwin: Natural Selection
Objective: To be able to carry out research and record information about a famous scientist
Outcome: A completed 'research sheet' for Charles Darwin and a presentation to the class

Lesson 3 - How to Survive
Objective: To understand that habitat changes can be an advantage or a disadvantage
Outcome: A table of advantages and disadvantages in different habitats; diary entries in-role as moths

Lesson 4 - The Impact of Humans
Objective: To understand the impact of humans on the environment
Outcome: A Fact-File for the Industrial Revolution; a persuasive campaign poster asking people to look after the environment