Lesson Plan Description
Students will create a scale model of the different eras, periods and epochs of Earth's 4.6 billion year history. In addition to different time periods, other major events will also be added to the model from fabricated radioactive decay data.
Primary Learning Objective(s):
The students will illustrate the proportions of different eras in Earth's history in relation to each other and place major geological events on the time line.
Additional Learning Objective(s):
Additional objectives of this lesson are to practice metric conversion skills as well as calculating a sample's age given half life information.
Procedures/Activities:
Students should be broken up into partners and given the hand out with fossil information as well as around 5 meters of adding machine paper. Students then calculate the absolute age of different events and plot them on the 5 meter time line.
Materials/Equipment:
Each group should be provided with:
- adding machine paper (4.75 meters long)
- a meter stick
- a calculator
- and the handout with fossil information and directions.
Assessment Guidelines:
Model accuracy and follow up questions provide the assessment in this activity. Teacher should make a KEY model for quick comparison as well as informally question students about different periods in the timeline to assess understanding.
