Middle School
Earth's Story
Geologic time, rock strata, fossils, plate motions, and Earth's history.
MS-ESS1-4, MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3
2 lessons
4 quiz questions
Lesson 1: Geologic Time and Evidence
Use rock layers and fossils to interpret Earth's past.
Learning goals
- Explain relative age of rock layers.
- Use fossils as evidence.
- Describe geologic time.
Rock records
Rock strata and fossils provide evidence of events in Earth's history. Undisturbed lower layers are usually older than layers above them.
Deep time
Earth's history spans billions of years. Geologic time helps organize major events and changes in life and environments.
Lesson 2: Plate Motion and Earth Change
Explain how plate movement shapes Earth over time.
Learning goals
- Describe plate tectonics.
- Connect plate motion to landforms.
- Use evidence of past plate movements.
Moving plates
Earth's outer shell is broken into plates that move slowly. Plate motion forms mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, ocean basins, and trenches.
Evidence
Matching fossils, rock layers, continental shapes, and seafloor patterns provide evidence of plate movement over time.