GEOLOGY FIELD STUDY2010

Earth History Unitby Thomas Kimberling

EARTH SCIENCE UNIT:Geologic TimeStudent Characteristics

6th Grade Art, drawing, and molding skills Proficient in the use of the Internet

Setting 3 Lessons/Activities

Understanding Geologic Time Getting Into the Fossil Record Building Blocks of Geologic Time

6 to 7 class periods Unfinished work can be assigned as homework

EARTH SCIENCE UNIT:Geologic Time

Strand 5 Changes in Earth

over time Types of fossils How fossils are formed Use fossil evidence to

make inferences about changes in the Earth Law of Superposition

Strand 7 Scientific Enquiry

Making Models

Communication of Results Oral presentations Drawings

DESE Benchmarks/Grade Level Expectations

ACTIVITY 1:Understanding Geologic TimeObjectives

Discover how old the Earth is Put events in order using a timeline Define “Law of Superposition” and “Relative Age” Apply the Law of Superposition using the fossil record Understand radiometric dating Understand Geologic Time

ACTIVITY 1:Understanding Geologic TimeTime Required

1 Class period

Resources/Materials Computer with internet connection Student worksheet

Definitions Mix and match time line

PowerPoint presentation of 2010 Geology Field Study

ACTIVITY 1:Understanding Geologic TimeProcedures

Teacher Introduction On-line activity

Explorations Through Time: Understanding Geologic Time University of California Museum of Paleontology http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html

Worksheets Slide show

Assessment Worksheets graded

ACTIVITY 2:Getting Into the Fossil RecordObjectives

Discover how the fossil record helps us understand Earth’s history

Learn how fossils are formed Learn about the environments in which fossils are

formed Discover where fossils can be found

ACTIVITY 2:Getting Into the Fossil RecordTime Required

2 Class periods

Resources/Materials Computer with internet connection; SMART Board Fossils from 2010 Geology Field Study Lab Materials

Small pie pans, spoons, patching plaster, sand, gravel, clay, water, paper cup, and shells

Lab instructions and worksheets

ACTIVITY 2:Getting Into the Fossil RecordProcedures

Teacher introduction Review Hands-on fossils (found during 2010 Geology Field

Study) Stromatolite (Ancient Cyanobacteria) Grypheae (Devil’s Toenails) Belemnite (Squid)

On-line Activity Explorations Through Time: Getting Into the Fossil

Record University of California Museum of Paleontology http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/education/explotime.html Navigate as a class on SMART Board

ACTIVITY 2:Getting Into the Fossil RecordProcedures (continued)

Fossil lab Students mix 3 soil mixtures

Sand Clay Gravel/Clay

Students make a mold (out of shells) in each type of soil Observe/record results

Students create a cast using the best mold Patching plaster Allowed to harden overnight Removes cast and examine the fossil Observation/results are recorded on worksheet

Assessment Lab worksheets will be graded

ACTIVITY 3:Building Blocks of Geologic TimeObjectives

Apply knowledge from previous lessons Perform data gathering and research Indentify flora and fauna of each time period Create life size geologic timeline

ACTIVITY 3:Building Blocks of Geologic TimeTime Required

3 Class periods

Resources/Materials Computer with internet connection Color printer Worksheets from “Understanding Geologic Time”

lesson Scissors, glue, colored pencils/pens, pictures obtained

online (15) 4’ X 10” panels (foam board), twine

ACTIVITY 3:Building Blocks of Geologic TimeProcedures

Teacher introduction Explain overall goal Divide class into teams Assign each team 1 of the 12 period of the geologic time

line Hand out instruction sheets and rubric

Team research UCMP website Other internet resources

Gathering Data (dates, animals, plants, and environments) Pictures/Drawings

ACTIVITY 3:Building Blocks of Geologic TimeProcedures (continued)

Panel construction Name of period Collage Decorate Teacher creates header panels

Final Day Presentations Assembly of geologic time line Display

Assessment Students work will be graded based upon the rubric

and team participation

MESOZOICCretaceous

JURASSIC

Triassic

References:Fossil Lab:

"Earth's History." UTM.edu - The University of Tennessee at Martin. Center for Environmental and Conservation Education Online, 13 July 2005. Web. 15 June 2010.

Getting Into The Fossil Record Interactive Web Site:Collins, Jennifer, and Kristen Lundstrom. "Getting Into the Fossil Record." UCMP -

University of California Museum of Paleontology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2010.

Understanding Geologic Time Interactive Web Site:Kurpius, Jim , Rob Guralnick, Jennifer Johnson, Anne Monk, Judy Scotchmoor, and

Mark Stefanski. "Welcome to Understanding Geologic Time." UCMP - University of California Museum of Paleontology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2010.