Physical characteristics of places: The fossil record
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/04/g912/fossil.html
A lesson plan for Grades 9–12 Biology and Earth/Environmental Science
About this resource
- Appropriate grades
- 9–12
- Subjects
- science (biology and life science, environmental science)
- Provider
- National Geographic
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This lesson asks students to consider how the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates alters the physical characteristics of places over geologic time. They'll investigate how climate has changed in specific world regions since the time of the dinosaurs and will write paragraphs explaining their findings.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grades 9–12 — Biology
- Goal 3: The learner will develop an understanding of the continuity of life and the changes of organisms over time.
- Objective 3.05: Examine the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection including:
- Development of the theory.
- The origin and history of life.
- Fossil and biochemical evidence.
- Mechanisms of evolution.
- Applications (pesticide and antibiotic resistance).
- Objective 3.05: Examine the development of the theory of evolution by natural selection including:
Grades 9–12 — Earth/Environmental Science
- Goal 2: The learner will build an understanding of lithospheric materials, tectonic processes, and the human and environmental impacts of natural and human-induced changes in the lithosphere.
- Objective 2.03: Investigate and analyze the processes responsible for the rock cycle:
- Analyze the origin, texture and mineral composition of rocks.
- Trace the path of elements through the rock cycle.
- Relate rock formation to plate tectonics.
- Identify forms of energy that drive the rock cycle.
- Analyze the relationship between the rock cycle and processes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere.
- Objective 2.03: Investigate and analyze the processes responsible for the rock cycle:
- Goal 3: The learner will build an understanding of the origin and evolution of the earth system.
- Objective 3.01: Assess evidence to interpret the order and impact of events in the geologic past:
- Relative and absolute dating techniques.
- Statistical models of radioactive decay.
- Fossil evidence of past life.
- Uniformitarianism.
- Stratigraphic principles.
- Divisions of Geologic Time
- Origin of the earth system.
- Origin of life.
- Objective 3.01: Assess evidence to interpret the order and impact of events in the geologic past:
