Implementing A Constructivist Teaching Model For Conceptualizing Geologic Time

John Pecore
,
Georgia State University and The Galloway School
Author Profile

Summary

The activity fosters middle learning students critical thinking and allows for student generated essential questions to further their understanding of Earth's history and geologic time.

Context

Audience:

informal

Skills and concepts that students must have mastered:

This an introductory lesson to middle school students learning about Earth's history.

How the activity is situated in the course:

Goals

Content/concepts goals for this activity:

This activity teaches middle learning students about Earth's history and geologic time.

Geologic skills:

Students learn to read and use the geologic time scale.

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity:

Students are asked to interpret information and make judgments.

Other skills goals for this activity:

Students write a paragraph.

Description of the activity/assignment

The activity fosters middle learning students critical thinking and allows for student generated essential questions to further their understanding of Earth's history and geologic time.

Evaluation

Students are given a picture and asked to apply their understanding of geologic time to determine the Era and Period of the scene. Students write a paragraph that explains their reasoning.

An assessment activity and scoring rubric is included in the presentation.

Logistics

Teachers provide students with clue cards and a blank geologic time scale.

Poster Presentation