In this lesson, students use a problem-based approach to explore the possibility that the qualities of different horse breeds -- strength, speed, agility, stamina, beauty, intelligence, disposition -- could be incorporated to create the "perfect horse," one that would excel in all the activities and competitions involving horse and rider. Students watch HORSE AND RIDER, and working in teams, conduct an investigation of the horse, its biology, domestication, the attributes of different breeds, their uses, and history.
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Recognize and describe the unique relationship between horse and rider, and the reasons why different horse breeds were developed
- Perform online research to learn about horse biology and behavior, the different breeds of horses, where they are found, their attributes and how and why they were developed
- Analyze findings from the research to determine how it is possible to produce an all-purpose horse and whether it is possible or impractical.
- Present findings in a display presentation to the class
- Present their positions in a position paper
Standards
Life Sciences
Standard 4, Level IV, Benchmark 3
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=2&StandardID=5
Knows that new heritable characteristics can only result from new combinations
of existing genes or from mutations of genes in an organism's sex cells; other
changes in an organism cannot be passed on
Standard 7, Level IV, Benchmark 1
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/outputSQL.asp?Subject=2&Standard=7&Level=4&Benchmark=1
Knows that heritable characteristics, which can be biochemical and anatomical,
largely determine what capabilities an organism will have, how it will behave,
and how likely it is to survive and reproduce
Writing
Standard 1, Level IV, Benchmark 2
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/outputSQL.asp?Subject=7&Standard=1&Level=4&Benchmark=2
Drafting and Revising: Uses a variety of strategies to draft and revise written
work (e.g., highlights individual voice; rethinks content, organization, and style;
checks accuracy and depth of information; redrafts for readability and needs of
readers; reviews writing to ensure that content and linguistic structures are
consistent with purpose)
Standard 4, Level II, Benchmark 4
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7&StandardID=4
Uses electronic media to gather information (e.g., databases,
Internet, CD-ROM, television shows, cassette recordings, videos, pull-down menus,
word searches)
Standard 4, Level IV, Benchmark 3
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?SubjectID=7&StandardID=4
Uses a variety of primary sources to gather information for research topics
Thinking and Reasoning
Standard 3, Level IV, Benchmark 1
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/outputSQL.asp?Subject=21&Standard=3&Level=4&Benchmark=1
Uses a comparison table to compare multiple items on multiple abstract characteristics
