NYS Earth Science Core CurriculumKey Idea 1 The Earth and celestial phenomena can be
described by principles of relative motion and perspective Performance Indicator 1.2 - Describe current theories about the origin of the universe and solar system. 1.2- i, j |
Objectives
1. Describe the geologic time scale and distinguish between: eon, era, period, and epoch.
2. Apply the principles for determining relative age to interpret rock sequences.
3. Describe an uncoformity and how it is formed.
4. Describe how objects are dated by the use of selected radioactive elements.
5. Define fossil and describe the characteristics of an index fossil.
6. Discuss how fossils can be used to interpret Earth's past physical and environmental history.
2. Apply the principles for determining relative age to interpret rock sequences.
3. Describe an uncoformity and how it is formed.
4. Describe how objects are dated by the use of selected radioactive elements.
5. Define fossil and describe the characteristics of an index fossil.
6. Discuss how fossils can be used to interpret Earth's past physical and environmental history.
Vocabulary
Perspective-(Earth as a 1 year movie)
Throughout the first few months of the film the Earth cools. There are no signs of life upon the Earth until the end of February. Single-celled organisms appear first; by the end of May, many-celled life forms are evident. The Cambrian period, 600 million years ago, begins in the middle of November in our movie. Invertebrate animals are abundant in the ancient seas, and algae are the dominant plants. However, there is as yet no life on land. Near the end of November, plants make their first appearance on land, and in the oceans the first fishes appear. It is late November before the first air-breathing animals begin to invade the land. Terrestrial plants, abundant at this time, are unlike most vegetation that we know today. By early December, amphibians are well established, but it will be the middle of the month before reptiles evolve to begin their domination. The first half of December shows the time in Earth's history known as the Carboniferous Period. This is when much of today's coal begins to form in the great swamps. By December 12, dinosaurs have made their appearance; for a hundred million years they reign. (But less than nine days in the film, or one meter on our time line.) By December 20, they are gone; and we see the Rocky Mountains rising. Land plants begin to have flowers, and primitive mammals and birds resembling those of today are widespread. Modern forests are developing by December 23, and there is rapid diversification of mammals. It is after Christmas before the land that is now Arizona begins to rise and the Colorado River starts to form the Grand Canyon. The movie will last only a few more days, yet there have been no signs of human beings. It is December 31, at about eight o'clock in the evening, before the first human-like creatures venture onto the plains of Africa. At 10:00 PM, ice invades from the polar regions of the planet; the most recent Ice Age has begun. The ice retreats and invades at least three more times before midnight. It is after 11:59 PM before human beings build their first cities. At 22 seconds before the end of the year, the Egyptians build their pyramids.
At seven-tenths of a second before midnight, the Declaration of Independence is signed.
Power Points & Notes
Geologic Time Notes & Powerpoint
Geologic Time Power Point
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ActivitiesActivity 1: Geologic Time Presentation Project
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WebsitesEnchanted Learning Geologic Time Scale
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