Students will be able to analyze and interpret data from index fossil records and the ordering of rock layers to infer the relative age of rocks and fossils. 8.E.6A.2
Content Knowledge Support
- Read and compete interactive science workbook pages 490-499.
Discussion Topics
- Would human beings be a good index fossil in the future? Explain why or why not using specific details from the content knowledge resource(s) provided.
- Scientists have relied on radiometric dating to draw some very important conclusions about the absolute age of things such as the age of our planet, dinosaurs, and even the human race. How reliable do you think the process of radiometric dating is? Do you think absolute dating is more or less RELIABLE than the law of superposition? Explain using specific details from this module's content resources.
Recommended Exercises
(Level 1) Comprehension
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(Level 3) Analysis
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Additional Exercises & Extensions
(Level 1) Comprehension
- Law of superposition Quizizz
- Complete the Index Fossils EDPuzzle.
(Level 2) Application
- Successfully complete each level of the "Layers of Time Fossil Game."
- Complete the Superposition and Index Fossils EDpuzzle.
(Level 3) Analysis
- Complete the Index Fossil Analysis Google Form
- Complete the Modeling Rock Layers SEPUP modeling activity and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
- Complete Reading the Rocks SEPUP investigation and analysis using this lab TEMPLATE.
- Catch the Culprit - Sherlock Holmes was called to a scene of crime, where the wife of the owner of the house had all the cookies from the cookie jar stolen. It had rained during the night, so the ground was full of footprints and tire tracks. By observing these, and by interrogating the tenants of the house, Sherlock Holmes was able to catch the culprit. Use this illustration of the prints on the ground at the crime scene, followed by the result of the interrogation. From this information, can you determine who the culprit was?
(Level 4) Evaluation
- What are the top 3 greatest index fossils ever? Explain why you chose these three fossils as the greatest index fossils using 3 or more specific characteristics that make up a good index fossil.
- What organism today would be the worst index fossil in the future according to the characteristics that make up a good index fossil? Use 3 or more specific details from what you learned about the characteristics that make up a good index fossil.
(Level 5) Creation
- Create your own model of rock layers by following the directions below:
- Put any small object at the bottom of a clear cup.
- Using at least 3 different types of cereal create 3 different layers of cereal on top of the small object in the clear cup. This will represent 3 distinct rock layers on top of the object you chose.
- Place another small object on top of the rock layers you created.
- Photograph the model you created and add it to a document of choice (i.e. Google Doc, Google Slides)
- Using what you know about the law of superposition which object in the cup would be the oldest? Explain how you know.
- Using what you know about the law of superposition which object in the cup would be the youngest? Explain how you know.
- In your own words explain how this activity did AND did not accurately model the law of superposition in the real-world using two or more specific details with the model you created.
Additional Explorations
- Complex layering due to intrusions and extrusions, faults, or unconformities can make dating rocks and fossils challenging. How do scientists accurately determine the age of rocks and fossils when each of these factors occur?
- Radioactive element decay can also be used to tell the age of fossils and rocks. How does this process work? Is it reliable? Why or why not?
Future Learning Connections (9-12)
- Develop and use models of various dating methods including index fossils, ordering of rock layers, and radiometric dating to estimate geologic time.
English Language Learners
Module Review Resources
Vocabulary Practice
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