The

History of the Earth

Prep
Read through and answer these questions on your own paper. You may use your phone to look up information
about the metric system and as a calculator for this lesson. A calculator is also available at the front of the
class.

1. How many millions are there in a billion?

2. Today you are going to make a timeline on 4.56 meters of paper to represent the 4.56 billion years of
Earth's history.
a) How long would 1 billion years be on the timeline?
b) How many centimeters are in a meter?
c) How many years would 100 cm be?
d) How many years would 1 cm represent?

3. Using a ruler, draw a straight line that is 1 cm long.


Assignment

Your group has been given a long strip of receipt paper that is already measured at 4.56 meters long. Be
careful!! The receipt paper is very thin and will tear easily!
- Please add the following 11 events in order to create an accurate timeline of the history of the earth.
- You will need to use your math skills and the information you gained during the "Prep" section of this
assignment to decide where each event belongs based on how long ago it occurred.
Use a meter stick or ruler to accurately measure the distance along the paper where you will place each event.
- Clearly label each event and draw a picture next to it related to the event.

Formation of the Earth 4.56 billion years ago
First living cells 3.8 billion years ago
Free oxygen in atmosphere 1.8 billion years ago
First fish 460 million
First land plants 440 million
First dinosaurs 247 million
First mammals 240 million
First flowers 145 million
Dinosaurs go extinct 65 million
First Homo sapiens 40,000
Giles County founded 211