1-18-2012 History of Earth Online

Continuing my way through the standards, offering links, lessons, and ideas to help teach the 

Core Curriculum Content Standards

Science Grades 6-8

5.4 Earth Systems Science: All students will understand that Earth operates as a set of complex, dynamic, and interconnected systems, and is a part of the all-encompassing system of the universe.

Strand	B. History of Earth :  From the time that Earth formed from a nebula 4.6 billion years ago, it has been evolving as a result of geologic, biological, physical, and chemical processes.
By the end of grade	Content Statement	CPI#	Cumulative Progress Indicator (CPI)	RESOURCES
6	Successive layers of sedimentary rock and the fossils contained in them tell the factual story of the age, history, changing life forms, and geology of Earth.	5.4.6.B.1	Interpret a representation of a rock layer sequence to establish oldest and youngest layers, geologic events, and changing life forms.	Archeology - Clues from the Past Paleontology NOVA Planet Earth Planet FOSS Earth History An Earth Changing Erosion Activity Digital Library for Earth System Education Krakatoa Dynamic Earth Earth's Structure Earth's Layers Earth-ology Earth Structure Weathering, Soil, and Erosion Surface Water Ground Water Glaciers Wind, Waves, and Currents Earth and Space Science Activities Jason Missions Sculpting with Ice Dynamic Earth Evolution and Environment Encyclopedia of Earth Geologic History
6	Earth’s current structure has been influenced by both sporadic and gradual events. Changes caused by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can be observed on a human time scale, but many geological processes, such as mountain building and the shifting of continents, are observed on a geologic time scale.	5.4.6.B.2	Examine Earth’s surface features and identify those created on a scale of human life or on a geologic time scale.
6	Moving water, wind, and ice continually shape Earth’s surface by eroding rock and soil in some areas and depositing them in other areas.	5.4.6.B.3	Determine if landforms were created by processes of erosion (e.g., wind, water, and/or ice) based on evidence in pictures, video, and/or maps.
6	Erosion plays an important role in the formation of soil, but too much erosion can wash away fertile soil from ecosystems, including farms.	5.4.6.B.4	Describe methods people use to reduce soil erosion.
8	Today’s planet is very different than early Earth. Evidence for one-celled forms of life (bacteria) extends back more than 3.5 billion years.	5.4.8.B.1	Correlate the evolution of organisms and the environmental conditions on Earth as they changed throughout geologic time.
8	Fossils provide evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed. The principle of Uniformitarianism makes possible the interpretation of Earth’s history. The same Earth processes that occurred in the past occur today.	5.4.8.B.2	Evaluate the appropriateness of increasing the human population in a region (e.g., barrier islands, Pacific Northwest, Midwest United States) based on the region’s history of catastrophic events, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and floods.

Please post a comment below if you have a site or lesson idea to share for teaching these concepts.  I would love your input!