Fossils and EH Lesson Plans
Week of Nov. 30 – Dec. 4th
Standard for the week: MS-ESS1-4 : Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for
how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6 billion year old history.
Monday (30)
Learning Target - I can determine the relative ages of rocks and fossils by using correlation and
index fossils found in the rock layers.
Students will complete an oral review of LT1-3. After the review, students will complete a SMART Response
formative assessment over geologic principles.
Formative Assessment: Quiz over LT 1
Technology: SMART Response clickers
Tuesday (1)
Learning Target - I can determine the relative ages of rocks and fossils by using correlation and
index fossils found in the rock layers.
Students will review how to correlate rocks (same rock type, same location/sequence of rock, and same type of
fossils). After the oral review, students will complete a correlation activity with a partner. Students will then have to
justify their thinking with their classmates as they discuss their answers.
RTI: Students that scored a D or F on the formative quiz will work in a small group to complete a geologic
principles foldable. This foldable will be a study tool for the students. The foldable will be “cut and paste”. In
other words, students will have to figure which definition goes with each principle. Students will have 15 minutes to
complete the foldable.
Students who did well on the quiz will continue to practice LT 3. Students will work with a partner to complete a
rock correlation practice handout during the 15 minute time period.
Wednesday (2)
LT - 4 I can use fossil evidence to explain how environmental conditions (climate and
continents) have changed over time.
Guest Speaker – Charlie Mason, Paleontologist from MSU will speak to students about the fossil collecting area we
visited (Knob Lick, Polksville, KY) in November. During the presentation, Mr. Mason will speak about the field of
geology, the geology of KY, and what we know about the environment where we collected.
Thursday (3)
Learning Target - I can determine the relative ages of rocks and fossils by using correlation and
index fossils found in the rock layers.
Students will complete the activity, “Who’s on First”.
Students will work in small groups to sequence a set of cards with letters on them. The letters represent fossils and
the cards represent rock layers. Students will find cards with overlapping letters and will put them in order from
oldest to youngest. This activity simulates how geologists use the Principle of Superposition to date rocks relatively.
In part 2 of the activity, students will order cards with fossil pictures on them using the same method as in part two.
In this part of the activity, students will then answer questions about relative dating using the information on their
handout concerning the fossil pictures. They will be asked to determine which fossils are “index” fossils. Index
fossils are fossils that are very important because they help scientists put actual ages on rock layers. Index fossils
were organisms that were abundant and were distributed over a large area, but only lived within a small period of
time in Earth’s history.
Formative Assessment: Ordering two sets of cards correctly in the activity. Identifying the index fossils and being
able to explain which fossils could not be used as index fossils. Media/Technology: SMART Lesson Presentation
Special Needs Strategy: None needed
Friday (4)
Guest speaker – Brent Rogers
Presentation: The Science of Food Production
How Can We Use Science to Feed a Hungry World? Professor Rogers will discuss with students the science of food
productions including: mechanization, bio technology, and nutrient management