The
Galapagos Islands are a unique volcanic archipelago that was not officially
discovered by humans until 1535. Consequently, the islands had been left alone
for thousands of years, and the vegetation and various species were able
to develop into a delicate and harmonious
ecological system.
There is no place anywhere in the world even minutely similar to the fascinating Galapagos Islands. The majority of the vegetation and species that are found on these islands, can be found nowhere else in the world. These islands are extremely valuable, because one is able to witness evolution in action. Charles Darwin visited the archipelago in 1835, and remarked,
I never dreamed that islands about fifty or sixty miles apart, and most of them in sight of each other, formed of precisely the same rocks, placed under a quite similar climate, rising to a nearly equal height, would have been differently tenanted; but...it is the circumstance that several of the islands possess their own species of the tortoise, mocking-thrush, finches, and numerous plants, these species having the same general habits, occupying analogous situations, and obviously filling the same place in the natural economy of this archipelago, that strikes me with wonder (Ralling, 1979, 142).
The Galapagos Islands are remarkable, unequaled, and distinct. These reasons alone create a beginning attraction to the islands for students. Our unit took this already captivating topic, and made it even more appealing through the development of creative lesson ideas. The entire unit integrates math, science, language arts, foreign language, fine arts, and social studies. Each lesson plan is founded on the concepts of cooperative learning, active learning, authentic experiences, and gives students the opportunity to explore and take charge of their own learning.
The lessons in this unit are appropriate for the middle school level for three reasons. The first reason is that the content areas we touched upon are normally studied in the traditional middle school classroom. The second reason is that we included a variety of approaches to learning, thus encouraging learning in all students. The final reason is that many of our activities and lessons allow the students to socialize and work together. This is essential in the middle school, because the students need the opportunity to feel part of a group.
Studying the Galapagos Islands makes important connections for the students about conservation issues, ecological systems, evolution, adaptation, plate tectonics and El Nino. The islands are an exceptional and unusual balance of nature that will motivate students to explore and to research. There is a plethora of information about these unmatched islands on the Internet, in books, in magazines, and in videos.
With all these ideas in mind, let's travel to the Galapagos Islands!
Ralling, C. (1979). The voyage of Charles Darwin. Mayflower Books: New York.