Unit 7: History of Earth

Students will know how to:
-Describe the formation of Earth and its early conditions
-Identify major eons, eras, and periods on the geologic time scale
-Explain how fossils form and distinguish between different types of fossils
-Use fossils as evidence to infer the evolution of species and past environments
-Describe patterns of mass extinction and their effects on biodiversity
-Use radiometric dating and other methods to determine the relative and absolute age of rocks and fossils
-Analyze fossil and rock data to construct evidence-based explanations of Earth’s history

Core Topics:
-Formation and early history of Earth
-Geologic time scale and major eons/eras
-Fossil formation and types of fossils
-Using fossils as evidence for evolution and environmental change
-Mass extinctions and their impact on life
-Radiometric dating and other methods of determining Earth's age

NGSS Performance Expectations:
HS-ESS1-4 – Use evidence from rock strata and the fossil record to explain Earth’s history, including changes in climate and life forms over geologic time.
HS-LS4-1 – Construct explanations based on evidence that species evolve over time and adapt to environmental changes.
HS-LS4-5 – Analyze fossil data to identify patterns in the history of life and relationships between organisms.

Essential Questions students will be able to answer:
-How did Earth form, and what evidence do we have about its early history?
-How can the geologic time scale help us understand the history of life on Earth?
-What processes lead to fossil formation, and how can we interpret fossil evidence?
-How have species changed over time, and what evidence supports evolution?
-How do mass extinctions affect biodiversity and the course of evolution?
-How can radiometric dating and rock strata be used to determine the age of Earth and its life forms?

Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs):
-Analyzing and Interpreting Data
-Constructing Explanations
-Developing and Using Models
-Engaging in Argument from Evidence

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs):
-Patterns
-Cause and Effect
-Stability and Change
-Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Demonstration of Learning / Suggested Activities:

-Unit Test
-Quizzes
-Fossil identification and classification lab
-Geologic time scale timeline activity
-Radiometric dating simulation or calculation exercises
-Analyze fossil evidence to construct explanations for evolution and environmental change
-Investigate case studies of mass extinctions and their impacts on life