Genetic variation makes for stronger species, but for a mammalian species, humans are disturbingly closely related. Help your class explore human ancestry and genealogy using the 15th video in a 16-part series. It describes how we became a species and why visual differences hurt our species and cultural differences help.

Concepts

ancestry, genealogy, homo sapiens, volcanoes, human migration, skin, pigments, racism

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Discuss racism and why race isn't considered a genetic factor
• Create a timeline of human history and display the skin color variations, or lack thereof, based on the dates presented in the video

Classroom Considerations

• Relies on prior knowledge of human migrations throughout history

• This video is hosted on YouTube

Pros

• Includes closed captioning in English for English learners
• Connects history, geography, science, politics, and more
• Graphics keep viewers focused on the content

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RH.9-10.9 RH.11-12.9 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4