Fossil Formation: A Journey Through Time
Created byMatthew Morgan
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Fossil Formation: A Journey Through Time

Grade 6Science3 days
In this project, 6th-grade students become geological detectives, piecing together Earth's history through the study of fossils and plate tectonics. Students analyze the distribution of fossils and rocks to understand past plate motions and tectonic processes, and how these forces influence the creation and destruction of seafloor. The project culminates in the construction of a 3D model illustrating fossil formation, integrating concepts of continental drift and geological changes over millions of years, to explain how Earth’s plates have moved, collided, and spread apart over time, as evidenced by the distribution of fossils and ancient land patterns.
Fossil FormationPlate TectonicsEarth's HistoryContinental DriftSeafloor SpreadingGeological Processes
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we piece together Earth's history, like detectives, using clues from fossils, rocks, and the landscape to understand how continents move and change over millions of years?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How does the distribution of fossils and rocks support the theory of plate tectonics?
  • In what ways do the shapes of continents and seafloor structures provide evidence of past plate motions?
  • How do tectonic processes influence the creation and destruction of seafloor?
  • What can we learn about Earth's history from the study of ancient land and water patterns preserved in rocks and fossils?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks to provide evidence of past plate motions.
  • Students will be able to describe how tectonic processes continually generate new ocean sea floor at ridges and destroy old sea floor at trenches.
  • Students will be able to use maps of ancient land and water patterns, based on investigations of rocks and fossils, to explain how Earth’s plates have moved great distances, collided, and spread apart.
  • Students will be able to explain how the shapes of continents (including continental shelves) provide evidence of the past plate motions.
  • Students will be able to explain how the locations of ocean structures (such as ridges, fracture zones, and trenches) provide evidence of the past plate motions.
  • Students will be able to construct a model of how fossils are created over time over many years

NGSS

MS-ESS-2.3
Primary
Students who demonstrate understanding can: Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions. Supporting Content ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth • Tectonic processes continually generate new ocean sea floor at ridges and destroy old sea floor at trenches. (MS-ESS-2.3) Supporting Content ESS2.B: Plate Tectonics and Large-Scale System Interactions • Maps of ancient land and water patterns, based on investigations of rocks and fossils, make clear how Earth’s plates have moved great distances, collided, and spread apart. (MS-ESS-2.3) Further Explanation: Examples of data include similarities of rock and fossil types on different continents, the shapes of the continents (including continental shelves), and the locations of ocean structures (such as ridges, fracture zones, and trenches). Examples of concepts include continental drift and seafloor spreading. Assessment Limit: Assessment of plate tectonics should be limited to large-scale system interactions. Paleomagnetic anomalies in oceanic and continental crust are not assessed.Reason: This standard directly addresses the analysis and interpretation of data related to fossils, rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to understand plate motions, which aligns perfectly with the project's focus.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Mysterious Fossil Anomaly

Students receive a mysterious package containing a 'newly discovered' fossil with an unusual anomaly. They must analyze the fossil and its surrounding rock matrix to determine its origin, age, and the environmental conditions present during its formation, sparking curiosity about fossil creation and geological history. This event challenges their conventional thinking about fossil formation timelines and the dynamic nature of Earth's processes.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Tectonic Time Travelers: Fossil Formation Model

Students will construct a 3D model that illustrates how plate tectonics and geological processes lead to the formation of fossils over millions of years. The model should demonstrate the creation of seafloor at ridges, the destruction at trenches, and how continental movement affects fossil distribution.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Plan and design a 3D model showing seafloor spreading, subduction zones, and continental drift.
2. Gather materials for the physical model (e.g., clay, cardboard, paint) or software for the digital model.
3. Construct the model, representing the key geological features and processes.
4. Incorporate fossils into the model, showing their location within the rock layers and continents.
5. Write a detailed explanation of the model, describing how plate tectonics contributes to fossil formation and distribution.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 3D model (physical or digital) showing the process of fossil formation, including the creation of new seafloor at ridges, subduction at trenches, and the movement of continents with embedded fossils. A written explanation should accompany the model.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMS-ESS-2.3 (Analyze and interpret data on the distribution of fossils and rocks, continental shapes, and seafloor structures to provide evidence of the past plate motions.)
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Tectonic Time Travelers: Fossil Formation Model Rubric

Category 1

Model Construction and Explanation

Assessment of the model's geological accuracy, fossil integration, and explanatory clarity.
Criterion 1

Geological Accuracy

Accuracy of geological representations, including seafloor spreading, subduction zones, and continental drift.

Exemplary
4 Points

Model accurately and innovatively represents all geological features and processes with precise detail and demonstrates a deep understanding of their interactions.

Proficient
3 Points

Model accurately represents the major geological features and processes, demonstrating a thorough understanding of their interactions.

Developing
2 Points

Model includes some geological features and processes, but may contain inaccuracies or lack detail in their representation.

Beginning
1 Points

Model shows a limited understanding of geological features and processes, with significant inaccuracies or omissions.

Criterion 2

Fossil Integration

Integration of fossils within the model to demonstrate their formation and distribution across tectonic plates.

Exemplary
4 Points

Fossils are seamlessly integrated into the model, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of their placement and distribution in relation to plate tectonics. Explanations show novel insights into fossil formation.

Proficient
3 Points

Fossils are effectively integrated into the model, demonstrating a clear understanding of their placement and distribution in relation to plate tectonics.

Developing
2 Points

Fossils are included in the model, but their placement and distribution may not accurately reflect their relationship to plate tectonics.

Beginning
1 Points

Fossils are minimally represented or absent from the model, indicating a limited understanding of their relationship to plate tectonics.

Criterion 3

Explanation Clarity

Clarity and completeness of the written explanation describing the model and linking plate tectonics to fossil formation and distribution.

Exemplary
4 Points

The written explanation is exceptionally clear, detailed, and insightful, providing a comprehensive analysis of the model and its implications for understanding fossil formation and distribution. Demonstrates novel and creative thinking.

Proficient
3 Points

The written explanation is clear, detailed, and provides a thorough description of the model and its implications for understanding fossil formation and distribution.

Developing
2 Points

The written explanation provides some description of the model, but may lack detail or clarity in explaining its implications for understanding fossil formation and distribution.

Beginning
1 Points

The written explanation is incomplete, unclear, or lacks a connection to the model and its implications for understanding fossil formation and distribution.

Category 2

Model Design and Aesthetics

Evaluation of the model's construction quality and effective use of visual elements.
Criterion 1

Construction Quality

Quality of construction, including neatness, attention to detail, and effective use of materials or software.

Exemplary
4 Points

Model construction is exceptionally neat, detailed, and demonstrates skillful and innovative use of materials or software to enhance understanding and engagement.

Proficient
3 Points

Model construction is neat, detailed, and demonstrates effective use of materials or software.

Developing
2 Points

Model construction is adequate, but may lack neatness or attention to detail, and use of materials or software may be limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Model construction is poor, lacking neatness, detail, and effective use of materials or software.

Criterion 2

Visual Communication

Effective use of visual elements to enhance understanding of complex geological processes and fossil formation.

Exemplary
4 Points

Visual elements are used exceptionally effectively to enhance understanding of complex geological processes and fossil formation, demonstrating creativity and insight.

Proficient
3 Points

Visual elements are used effectively to enhance understanding of complex geological processes and fossil formation.

Developing
2 Points

Visual elements are used, but their impact on enhancing understanding of geological processes and fossil formation is limited.

Beginning
1 Points

Visual elements are minimal or ineffective in enhancing understanding of geological processes and fossil formation.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How has your understanding of the relationship between plate tectonics and fossil distribution evolved throughout this project?

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