Just-in-Time Teaching (JiTT) WarmUp Activity: The La Brea Tar Pits
Question:
1) What is "tar" and how does it form?
2) List the animals that have been uncovered in the tar pits that you didn't know were native to North America. Why do you think these animals are now extinct?
3) What else are scientists looking at besides the bones in the tar pits? Why?
2) List the animals that have been uncovered in the tar pits that you didn't know were native to North America. Why do you think these animals are now extinct?
3) What else are scientists looking at besides the bones in the tar pits? Why?
Student Responses:
See the Just-in-Time Teaching page on assessment for information and ideas on how to evaluate student responses.
References and Notes:
Articles that students may be assigned to read for this set of questions include (but are not limited to):
"Return to the Ice Age - La Brea Exploration Guide" Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (more info) .
The use of Just-in-Time Teaching is discussed in detail on the JiTT Starting Point page.
"Return to the Ice Age - La Brea Exploration Guide" Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (more info) .
The use of Just-in-Time Teaching is discussed in detail on the JiTT Starting Point page.
Additional information on JiTT is available in the book:
- Just-in-Time Teaching: Blending Active Learning with Web Technology. Novak et al., 1999 The authors explain what Just-in-Time Teaching is, its underlying goals and philosophies, and how to implement it. They also provide an extensive section of tested resource materials that can be used in introductory physics courses with the JiTT approach. (citation and description)
