Mapping Mockingbirds

This lesson plan revolves around studying the speciation of the Galápagos mockingbirds, which are on display at the California Academy of Sciences. It works well as a pre-visit activity and post-visit activity. In the first part of the lesson, learners will explore the speciation of the Galápagos mockingbirds by solving a logic puzzle. The logic puzzle can be solved by using clues about the different kinds of mockingbirds. Once it is solved, learners will be able to construct a branching diagram showing evolutionary relationships among this group of birds. In the second part of the lesson, learners can review their branching diagram and educators may ask them guiding questions to learn how the lineages are related and to unify their understanding of the material. This activity is standards-based and includes resources for educators and extension ideas.