Darwin and evolution for kids : his life and ideas, with 21 activities

Darwin and Evolution for Kids traces the transformation of a privileged and somewhat scatterbrained youth into the great thinker who proposed the revolutionary theory of evolution. Through 21 hands-on activities, young scientists learn about Darwin's life and work and assess current evidence of evolution. Activities include going on a botanical treasure hunt, keeping field notes as a backyard naturalist, and tying knots for ship sails like those on the HMS Beagle . Children also learn how fossils are created, trace genetic traits through their family trees, and discover if acquired traits are passed along to future generations. By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.

1. Before Darwin -- Taxonomy -- 2. A comfortable youth -- Be a backyard naturalist -- Acquired characteristics -- Making shrewsbury cakes -- A classified education -- 3. To distant lands -- Botanical treasure hunt -- Tying the knot -- South American Comida -- Voyage journal -- 4. The search for reasons -- Make your own fossils -- Traveling plants -- 5. A turning point in human understanding -- Going ape -- Count the generations -- 6. The idea that changed the world -- Make your own geological strata -- Camouflage egg hunt -- The benefits of beauty -- 7. Reluctant celebrity -- Carnivorous plants -- Seed strategies -- Emotions left and right -- 8. After Darwin -- The great "monkey trial" debate -- Future evolution.