Background Information for Teachers

Understanding geologic time is a subconcept of earth science in the middle school. The resources in this section are thus either a subdivision of a larger earth science resource or the larger resource within which geologic time is addressed. You will find parts of some of these resources appropriate to present to students directly, while other parts are more appropriate for teachers or more advanced learners only. There are links to texts, graphics, interactive presentations, and online courses for teachers.

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The Big Ideas http://www.esbd.org/resources/big_ideas.html

From the many facts, theories, and questions found in earth and space science, scientists and educators have identified a certain small set as the "big ideas" that organize the intellectual domain. This project synthesized these ideas into a compact and defensible list. The list of 25 concepts is divided into seven topic areas, including the Nature of Earth Science, which contains items 21-25.

Geologic Time Scale http://www.geo.ucalgary.ca/~macrae/timescale/timescale.html

This information about geologic time and the geologic time scale defines the terms relative time (chronostratic) and absolute time (chronometric). Relative time can be thought of as the subdivisions of rock found in the earth’s stratigraphy and absolute time as the measurements taken of rock types to determine the actual time that has expired. Absolute time measurements can be used to calibrate the relative time scale, producing an integrated geologic or geochronologic time scale. The site contains a multicolor time scale and references for more information. The text is appropriate as teacher background knowledge; the graphic is appropriate for students assuming some discussion and explanation accompany it. MSP full record

Once in a Million Years: Teaching Geologic Time http://www.actionbioscience.org/education/lewis_lampe_lloyd.html

This article outlines pedagogical approaches to teaching geologic time and describes common student preconceptions and misconceptions. Several activities will assist students in conceptual change. MSP full record

Geologic Time: Online Edition http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/

An online edition of a general interest publication from the U. S. Geological Survey gives an overview of the concepts associated with the age of the earth. Section headers are: Geologic Time, Relative Time Scale, Major Divisions of Geologic Time, Index Fossils, Radiometric Time Scale, and Age of the Earth. MSP full record

Fossils, Rocks, and Time http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/fossils/index.html

This online book, published by the U. S. Geological Survey, discusses the use of fossils in determining the age of rocks. The book covers how to place events in correct temporal order, a description of the geologic time scale, the use of fossils to indicate rock ages, the law of fossil succession, index fossils, and radioactive dating. MSP full record

ESSEA Online Courses: 5-8 Earth System Science Course http://www2.cet.edu/ete/5-8/main.htm

Want to know more about earth science beyond the geologic time scale? This 16-week online graduate course for middle school teachers is offered by colleges and universities across the United States as part of the NASA ESSEA (Earth System Science Education Alliance) Program. The course implements a student-centered classroom where participants learn from the students’ point of view. Participating teachers analyze the impact of earth events on spheres (hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere), develop earth systems models, experience the jigsaw approach to studying the fundamental spheres, create classroom activities, and use journals to reflect on changes in their beliefs about teaching and learning. MSP full record

A Formative Assessment of Geologic Time for High School Earth Science Students http://www.nagt.org/files/nagt/jge/abstracts/Hermann_v52n3p231.pdf

Earth science courses typically include the concept of geological time. The authors of this study attempt to move past traditional assessment practices and develop a formative assessment of students’ understanding of the construction of the geologic time scale and how it is interpreted. Through this approach, students are challenged to conceptualize the geologic time scale by comparing it to a student-produced time scale for an older adult’s life. This formative assessment allows the teacher to alter instruction based on students’ feedback. MSP full record

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Copyright September 2007 — The Ohio State University. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0424671. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.