Implementing A Constructivist Teaching Model For Conceptualizing Geologic Time
John Pecore
, Georgia State University and The Galloway School
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.
Collapse
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
IMPLEMENTING A CONSTRUCTIVIST TEACHING MODEL FOR CONCEPTUALIZING GEOLOGIC TIME (Acrobat (PDF) 419kB Jan2 06)
