Insect in Amber Introduction The Earth is constantly changing. Volcanoes, earthquakes, droughts, and floods--each of these occurrences have shaped the history of the Earth. The recorded history of the Earth is called the geological time scale. The geological time scale is written like a calendar. In some ways it is more like a book and the rocks are its pages. Some of the pages are torn or missing and the pages are not numbered, but geology gives us the tools to help us read this book. We study the Earth's history by studying the record of past events that is preserved in the rocks. The layers of the rocks are the pages in our history book. To tell the age of most layered rocks, scientists study the fossils these rocks contain. Fossils provide important evidence to help determine what happened in Earth history and when it happened.

Trilobite State Standards 3. Evolution. Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations c. How independent lines of evolution from geology, fossils, and comparative anatomy provide a basis for the theory of evolution e. Extinction of a species occurs when the environment changes and the adaptive characteristics of a species are insufficient for its survival 4. Earth and Life History. Evidence from rocks allows us to understand the evolution of life on Earth a. Earth processes today are similar to those that occured in the past and slow geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long periods of time c. The rock cycle includes the formation of new sediment and rocks. Rocks are often found in layers with the oldest generally on the bottom e. Fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed 7. Investigation and Exploration. Scientific Process is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. c. Communicate the logical connection among hypothesis, science concepts, test conducted, data collected, and conclusions drawn from the scientific evidence e. Communicate the steps and results from an investigation in written reports and verbal presentations

Copyright Information Fossil Museum- Galleries Ammonite Images

Learning Goals To explain what fossils are and how most fossils form Describe the rock cycle, and the methods scientist used to date rocks Explain how scientist determine the age of the Earth using fossils and rock samples Describe the geological time scale and why its used, identify different events in the geological time scale

Requirements 1. Students will be grouped in fours. 2. Each group will be given one of the five descriptions listed below: A rhinoceros-like animals lives on the plains near volcanic activity A variety of invertebrates live at the bottom of shallow, warm sea Hordes of fish live in a large, shallow lake Horse, camels and pig-like beast live in a savanna-like environment Forest of conifers and ferns grow in a flood plain 3. The group will answer the questions associated with each picture. When answering the question the students must use appropriate terminology in their responses. See Fossil Terminology. The students must use a minimum of two references to support their answers. 4. The students will take their scenario and create one situation where the animals or plants are fossilized and one where they are not fossilized. When creating the senarios the students must use appropriate terminology in their their responses. See Fossil Terminology. 5. Each group may illustrate the fossilization process in a cartoon or write a description of the progress. The questions on each page should help guide the students through the fossilization process. 6. Each group will turn in a Lab Activity Report. See guidelines for Lab Activity Report. Activity A: Rhinoceros Activity B: Invertebrates Activity C: Fish Activity D: Horses Activity E: Plants

Assessment Click on the link below to see the grading rubric for the Lab Activity Report. Guidelines for Lab Activity Report Rubric for Lab Activity Report

Law of Superposition Thinking Skills Students will be able to recall and indentify concepts relating to the Earth's history. Lesson plans will demonstrate how fossils and rock layers demonstrate the age of the Earth. Students' knowledge will then be tested by a brief lab activity report. Lab activity reports will show the students' ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the data presented.

Gifted and EL Students Projects for gifted students can beindependent evolution projects with teacher approval or one of the following and how it pertains to evolution: the influence of plate tectonics at fossil lake , map of the fossils found at fossil lake, report on current excavations at fossil lake, or a report on the history of fossil lake. These projects can be powerpoints, podcasts, or reports complete with pictures.

Ammonite Links Color and Camoflage Fossil Games Making Fossils Skeleton Jigsaw Burying Bodies Dinosaur Game - Baby Al More About Fossils Information on the Rock Cycle History of Fossil Lake

Examples of Student Work Attach examples of the kind of work you expect from students. Your examples should illustrate what is expected with both GOOD examples and with POOR examples of misconceptions or mistakes to avoid. Example of a Bad Student Activity Report The following is an example of student work that does not meet all of the requirements. For full credit, please review your work and complete all parts of the assignment. Example of Good Student Activity Report The following is an example of student work that meets all the requirements of the rubric.

Cast of a Fossilzed Sting Ray Class Resources Here you can find the links to vocabulary, notes, and power point lectures. Types of Fossils This power point contains information on different types of fossils. Please use this a a reference of the types of fossils that may be found in you lab report Fossil Terminology Here is a list of vocabulary words that should be used in your Lab Activity Report. Try to use as many as you can correctly. Earth's History Notes Use the following notes to guide you through the different types of fossils, how rocks form, and what occurred in the different eras, periods, and epochs.