Lesson Plan
Virginia Department of Education

Weathering of Limestone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
We all know limestone weathers, but what affects the rate of weathering? Young scientists investigate the physical and chemical weathering of limestone (chalk) through experimentation. First, they conduct trials with different-size...
Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Accuracy of Carbon 14 Dating II

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The scientific issue of carbon-14 dating and exponential decay gets a statistics-based treatment in this problem. The class starts with a basic investigation of carbon content, but then branches out to questions of accuracy and...
Interactive
Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Comparative Anatomy of the Domestic Chicken

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Are chickens and crocodiles really related? Young scientists compare the bone structure of current domestic chickens to other animals throughout evolution. This helps them understand the branches that separate crocodiles and birds as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery of the Matching Marks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a Power Point and complete activities related to genetic evidence of human evolution. In this molecular evolution lesson, students view and discuss a provide presentation. They search for the "tell-tale telomere" and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy Quakes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders, using a candy bar, gum, and Twizzlers, demonstrate the effects of deformational forces on the earth's crust. They examine the processes of rock and fossil formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Continental Drift Mystery

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students stud the concept of Pangaea by using Wegener's clues to construct a map of the continents joined together. They determine how fossil distribution can be used to enhance the study of continental drift. They locate the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Is Everywhere

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Young scholars determine the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources and identify the different forms of energy. They discuss life without energy and where energy comes from before reading an article about the different...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Measuring Absolute Time

For Students 8th - 10th
In this absolute time worksheet, students answer eleven questions about ways to measure the age of fossils. They define half-life, answer questions about radioactive dating, tree rings and varves.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth Day Word Search

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this holiday themed word search worksheet, students locate 19 words that are associated with Earth Day, April 22. They search for words that are shown in a word bank at the top of the page which include energy, fossil fuel, pollution,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Water Heater

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students design and build their own solar heater. In this technology lesson, students explain why solar energy is a good alternative to fossil fuels. They describe how their solar heater model works.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Geology - Merit Badge Workbook

For Students 5th - 7th
In this geology merit badge worksheet, students answer 5 multiple level questions with information about geology. They complete research to find the answers to questions about geology, fossils, and rock formations. This is a Boy Scout...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Are the Dinosaurs?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students recognize that they haven't seen a dinosaur because they no longer exist. For this dinosaur lesson, students view videos and understand what the dinosaur habitat was like. Students role play dinosaurs. Students explore dinosaur...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Paleontology Lab

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners engage in a lab which introduces them to fossils and paleontology. They examine eleven numbered boxes containing fossils which are related to the questions on this lab then answer questions on a lab sheet imbedded in this plan.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Have a Bone To Pick With You

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore fossils and how they are found by paleontologists.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Excavation Dig

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students engage in a role-play of a dinosaur excavation dig. They dig through sand to locate buried bones and then discuss the ethics of destroying buildings and other property to get at the fossil remains.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The End of an Era

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the American-Mongolian paleontology expedition of Cretaceous fossil beds at Ukhaa Tolgod in the Gobi Desert. They present information about the life forms, tectonics, climate and geology of this time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Utah Archaeology

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students use Play-dough explore different types of fossils and examine how fossils are evidences of past life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polishing the Petoskey

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students select a stone and polish it. Throughout the process they demonstrate an understanding of rocks and fossil formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Show Me The Dinos

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore a site of numerous fossil excavations. Using an interactive quarry map, they locate dinosaur specimens and individual bones. In groups, students use "Show Me" cards to answer questions, compile information, and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peak Oil

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Young scholars explore the finite petroleum resources available and the surging demand for fossil fuels by developing nations. the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and the development of alternative, sustainable fuels is examined...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Creature of the Deep

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students compare and contrast the coelacanth, a living fossil, with a moray eel and a bull shark. They complete a Fish Anatomy worksheet while researching the skeleton, body coverings and buoyancy of each fish.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Dimensional Geology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use rocks and fossils to interpret the geology of an area. They use prior knowledge and make recommendations about where to build a subdivision based on the rocks.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaur History (Part 4)

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read the scripture that cooresponds with this lesson on dinosaurs. Using the text, they determine the types of animals on the ark with Noah. They identify the factors necessary for fossil formation and discuss how the ark...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Candy Quakes

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders use candy to show the effects of deformation forces on the earth's crust.  In this rock and fossil formation lesson students construct models and simulations to describe and explain natural phenomena.

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