Details
| Type of Product: |
Journal Article |
| Publication Title: |
Science and Children |
| Publication Date: |
12/1/2006 |
| Pages: |
5 |
| Grade Level: |
Elementary School |
|
Description
Though you can’t tell just by looking at them, layers of sediments tell us much about
Earth’s history—when the ocean flooded continents, when mountains were formed, when climate was warmer or cooler, and so much more. Stratigraphy, the study of sediment layers and the relationships between rocks and fossils with time, has done much to help us understand Earth. While heading out to real-life dig sites with your students is not so realistic, there is a safe, fun, effective way to introduce geology concepts to elementary school children of all ages: “coring” layer cakes! All it takes is some simple baking to create a model of sediment layers and their fossil record. Exploring this topic in the classroom allows your students to learn about how geologists work while they explore Earth science.
Ideas For Use
This activity addresses National Science Education Standards that relate to introducing the structure of the Earth system and understanding Earth’s history. Stratigraphic principles form the basis for interpreting Earth and its rock layers. Therefore, this activity is perfect for introducing the concepts and challenges that geologists face and at the same time strengthening students’ inferential, observational, and problem-solving skills.
Additional Info
|
Science Discipline:
(mouse over for full classification)
|
Rock cycle
Rocks
Earthquakes
Sediment deposition
Core
Classifying
Collecting data
Observing
Scientific habits of mind
Using mathematics
|
| Intended User Role: | Elementary-Level Educator, New Teacher, Teacher |
| Educational Issues: | Achievement, Assessment of students, Classroom management, Inquiry learning, Learning theory, Teacher content knowledge, Teacher preparation, Teaching strategies |
Technical
| Resource Format: | application/pdf |
| Size: | 199 KB |
| Requirements: | Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader |
National Standards Correlation
This resource has 9 correlations with the National Standards.
[HIDE CORRELATIONS]
- Earth Science
- Structure of the earth system
- The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot, convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core.
- Constructive forces include crustal deformation, volcanic eruption, and deposition of sediment.
- Some changes in the solid earth can be described as the "rock cycle."
- Earth's history
- Fossils provide important evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed
- Science as Inquiry
- Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
- Ask a question about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
- Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
- Use data to construct a reasonable explanation.
- Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data.
- Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations.
State Standards Correlation
Use the form below to view which of your state standards this resource addresses.
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