Letter from teacher
Class Information
The Story Rocks Tell
Grades 6-8
In this expedition, students will learn to tell the geological story of a place as they consider how forces of nature continuously change the earth. In the Building Background Knowlege lessons the students will learn about the theories that led to the curren theory of plate tectonics and the rock cycle. In the first case study, students will focus on the fossil history of the Fossil beds national monument. They will investigate evidence that shows that this areas climate and life forms have changed over time. In the second case study all students will become experts on Garden of the Gods. They will begin by making predictions about how this site was formed then through successive visits, research, and science labs, they will dig deeper into the story of this place. This case study will conclude with the creation of 3-D models that illustrates the forces that created the Garden of the Gods. In the third case study, students will become experts on various geologic sites around the metro area. They will begin by making inferences about their site based by applying their deep knowledge and the investigative tools that they developed studying Dinosaur Ridge. Once the students have developed their own story of their expert site, they will research and work with experts to check and revise their hypothesis. Each student will then write-up their theory and create a power point presentation to defend their theory. They will present their theory for peer review.
Guiding Question:
How do theories become accepted within the science community? How did the Earth end up like it is today? What is the Earth going to look like in the future?
Long Term Learning targets:
I can understand the difference between a hypothesis, theory and law.
I can understand how a scientist uses evidence to support a theory.
I can explain the formation of specific rocks and minerals.
I can correctly identify specific rocks and minerals.
I can create a timeline of geologic hisotry using fossil evidence.
I can use the geologic time line in order to understand the history of our earth as a geologist.
I can infer how constructive and destructive forces lead to the creation of specific geological features in Colorado.
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