Student slideshow: English | Spanish

Teacher printout: English & Spanish

The Scientists of Lizard Island

In this reading, scientists learn about how scientists studied what happened when new brown anoles were introduced to an island inhabited by green anoles.

Natural Selection Simulation

To explore another example of trait variation and survival, play the Peppered Moth game. Here’s how:

• Open the link. Click “how to play” and read aloud. The trait of wing color varies with these moths. At the start of the game, half the moths are light-colored and half are dark.
  
• Click “play game.” Choose to hunt for moths among trees with pale bark or trees with dark bark. Before choosing, ask students whether they think the color of the tree’s bark will make any difference to the the moth's survival.
• Make your choice. Suddenly, you’re a hungry bird, pecking at moths. In the upper left corner, you’ll see a timer and a count of how many moths you’ve eaten. Down below, you’ll see graphs that show how you have affected the moth population.
• When the game ends, make a note of how the moth population changed. Then play again. This time choose the other type of forest. Once again, at the start, half the moths are light colored and half are dark. Note the results of the game.
• Discuss as a class: How would you explain these results?
  

Save the Green Anoles

In this lesson project , students use what they've learned about the green anoles to brainstorm solutions on ways to help them stay safe in their environment!