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Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
National Capital Region
DIVISION OF CITY SCHOOLS – MANILA
Manila Education Center Arroceros Forest Park
Antonio J. Villegas St. Ermita, Manila

EARTH AND
LIFE SCIENCE
Fossils: Evidence of Past Life

Quarter 1 Week 6 Module 14

Learning Competency: Describe the Earth's history

can be interpreted from the geologic time scale
(S11ES-Ii-j-38)

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HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb you
while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy
the objectives of this kit. Have fun!

1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of
this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances
learning, that is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key
card.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

• Expectations - These are what you will be able to know after completing the
lessons in the module.
• Pre-test - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
• Looking Back to your Lesson - This section will measure what learnings and
skills did you understand from the previous lesson.
• Brief Introduction - This section will give you an overview of the lesson.
• Activities - This is a set of activities you will perform with a partner.
• Remember - This section summarizes the concepts and applications of the
lessons.
• Check your Understanding - It will verify how you learned from the lesson.
• Post-test - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire
module.

Lesson

14 Geologic Time Scale

EXPECTATIONS
You will have to describe the Earth's history can be interpreted from the
geologic time scale.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

• Order fossils chronologically according to the Geologic time scale, and
• Live according to the natural principles of Geology.

Let us start your journey in learning more about Earth’s history through the Geologic
Time scale I am sure you are ready and excited to answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer
up!

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PRETEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. If the answer is not found on the
choices, write letter E and identify the correct answer.
1. Which is the largest division of geologic time?
A. Eon c. Epoch
B. Era d. Period
2. The following characteristic enabled reptiles to spread on land. Which may be
omitted from the list?
A. Scales protect the skin from drying up.
B. A shell protects the egg from drying up and from injury.
C. The massive tail is a powerful tool for offense and defense.
D. An egg yolk provides the developing embryo with a steady supply of food.
3. Which combination represents the Phanerozoic?
A. Eocene, Cretaceous, Jurassic
B. Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic
C. Precambrian, Cenozoic, Eocene
D. Cenozoic, Precambrian, Paleozoic
4. In what era do we belong?
A. Cenozoic C. Mesozoic
B. Jurassic D. Paleozoic
5. What the term “Paleozoic” means?
A. Future life C. Recent life
B. Middle life D. Ancient life
6. The presence of different kinds of environmental favors the appearance of new
species that are adopted to those environments. The following are examples of
new environments EXCEPT:
A. a delta at the mouth of a big river
B. a sugarcane field newly plowed after harvest
C. a crater lake formed after eruption of a volcano
D. a new island formed by eruption of a volcano on the ocean floor
7. During which geologic era did human beings evolve?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian
8. What time units are eras subdivided into?
A. Days C. Epochs
B. Eons D. Periods
9. In what era was there an abundance of large reptiles?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian
10. In which era did plants appear?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian

Great! You finished answering the questions. You may request your facilitator to check
your work. Congratulations and keep on learning!

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LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

The previous module focuses on the types of dating methods. Before you proceed on
this module, let’s first refresh your learnings from the previous module.

TRUE or FALSE: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement
is incorrect.
_______1. Relative dating methods are useful for establishing the absolute age of
geologic events
_______2. Metamorphic dating processes invalidate radiometric dating methods
_______3. James Hutton was the first geologist to suggest that the Earth might be
“millions of years old”
_______4. Modern geologist has abandoned relative dating methods in favor of more
precise dating methods.
_______5. Radiometric dating methods rely on several assumptions that must be
met to be valid.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
As mentioned in the previous lessons, the geologist uses relative time to
arrange geologic events in the correct chronological sequence. But scientist can also
consider time in purely numerical terms. In the early of 20th century, scientist
realizes that they could use the radioactive decay of isotopes to determine the actual
age of rocks and put it on dates on the sequence of events.
Scientist have determined through absolute dating that the oldest known rocks
on Earth are 4.03 billion years old are found in northwestern Canada. The conditions
on Earth way back 4.03 billion years ago would have been different from the ones
we’ve known today. In those earlier times, the heat left over from the formation of the
Planet which made the Earth much hot in that time. There was little amount of
oxygen in the atmosphere, evidenced by the existence of minerals that would have
broken down if oxygen were present. The presence of extensive volcanic rocks
throughout the entire world suggest that there once was more volcanic activity than
we are observe today. In addition, models of the sun’s evolution show that the Earth
received less solar radiation than it does nowadays. To make matters worse, Earths
was being bombarded of asteroids and comets. The environment in which life begins
to evolve was probably similar to the hot, harsh conditions we currently find in places
like in hot springs. Those acidic, hot waters harbor heat-loving bacteria. Because
they are some of the most primitive life forms we observe today, scientist debates
that early life was probably similar to them.
Do you have it takes to be geologist and paleontologist? Get your safety gears
on because we’ll be digging a lot of minerals on this module!
Note: You can perform the following activities through collaborating with a partner. You can first
answer the activities individually then just communicate your results after.

ACTIVITIES
Activity 14: Geologic Timeline Activity
Objectives
• To understand Geologic Time Scale (GTS), and
• To understand the history of the Earth
Materials
• Ruler
• A long strip of paper (measuring 150 cm in length and 6 cm in width)
• Tape
• Coloring materials

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Procedure
1. Lay the long strip of paper on the floor where it doesn’t slip while you are
labeling. Tape the ends to the floor.
2. Within the first 20 centimeters in the top left corner write the following:
a. Geological timeline
b. Underneath the heading, make a scale.
1 meter = 1 billion years
1 centimeter = 10 million years
1 millimeter = 1 million years
3. The measurement of the timeline will begin with “Today”. Starting on the left
side of the paper, measure 20 cm to the right on the line and make a vertical
mark.
4. Using the Major listed in table 1, measure and write the Major Events on your
geologic timeline.
Example:

Table 1: Major Events in Geological Time

Time Scale Major Event
Today 0 cm The present
~100,000 y.a. 0.1 mm Homo Sapiens
(modern form of Human Species) Cenozoic
~22 Mya. 2.2 cm Grasses Era
~33 Mya. 3.3 cm First apes
~50 Mya 5 cm Eohippus (First known horse) (write in blue)
65 Mya 6.5 cm Cenozoic Era
~65 Mya 6.5 cm Dinosaurs extinction
~140 Mya 14 cm First flowering plants Mesozoic
~200 Mya 20 cm Earthworms Era
~220 Mya 22 cm First mammals
~240 Mya 24 cm Start of the age of the dinosaurs (write in red)
248 Mya 24.8 cm Mesozoic Era
~330 Mya 33 cm Winged insects
~380 Mya 38 cm First insects
~390 Mya 39 cm First sharks Paleozoic
~395 Mya 39.5 cm Amphibians Era
~400 Mya 40 cm Ferns
(write in green)
~440 Mya 44 cm First land plants
~440 Mya 44 cm First jawed fish
540 Mya 54 cm Paleozoic Era
~550 Mya 55 cm Jellyfish
~1.8 Bya 1 m 8 cm First eukaryotes Precambrian
~2.4 Bya 2 m 4 cm Significant rise of O 2 , to ~2% level Time
~3.5 Bya 3 m 5 cm Prokaryotes (bacteria)
~4.6 Bya 4 m 6 cm Formation of Earth and Moon (write in orange)
~4.6 Bya 4 m 6 cm Precambrian Time

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Guide Questions
1. For how long has there been life on Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. For what percentage of time has life existed on Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. For bout how many years of geological time have humans existed on Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. For about how many years of geological time the dinosaurs existed on Earth?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Did dinosaurs exist as the same time as humans?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. How does scientist determine when an era begins and when it ends?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. What is the purpose of making a geological timeline?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

REMEMBER
• Fossil is a preserved remains or traces of plants, animals, and other
organisms from the past. It provides an evidence of the past events in Earth’s
geological history.
• Fossil record – this are the history of life as documented by all fossils which
preserved in sedimentary rock strata
• Index fossils – serves as a guide or indicator of certain geologic periods. This
are used to correlate the age of the rock strata. If two different rocks in
different areas on the earth contain the same index fossils, then probably the
strata have the same age.
Characteristics of
Index Fossils:
 Easily
recognizable
 Abundant
 Wide geologic
distribution

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• Geologic Time Scale (GTS) – is a chronologic schema relating to the
stratigraphy of time which is used by geologist, paleontologist and other
scientist to describe the timing and relationship between events that occurred
during the long history of the Earth.
• Geologic time – general reference to long time span that predates human
records.
• They have divided the 4.6 billion years of Earth’s rich history into different time
spans to conveniently indicate the four major events geologically or
paleontologically. This time spans includes:
 Age (millions of years) -
 Epoch (tens of millions of years)
 Period (tens of millions of years)
 Era (several hundred million years)
 Eon (half a billion years or more)

• Paleontologist and geologist usually present the geologic time scale in vertical
manner. The arrangement is derived from the vertical succession of rock
strata of Earth. Based on the Principle of Superposition, new layers can be
arranged down only on top of preexisting older rock strata. Therefore, older
rocks lie below younger ones.
• Once they have obtained the numerical age, they can be integrating it with
vertical time to create geologic time scale. Scientist often interested in the ages
in the boundaries between different eras, periods, and epochs because these
often mark important events in Earth’s history.
• As geologist collects new fossils evidence, these boundary dates shift and
geologist improve the numerical dates.
• The combined relative or absolute time scale is in fact constantly revised to
create a precise presentation of the history of the Earth.

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Earth’s History

• Precambrian
- Occurred a huge bulk of
Earth’s history. About 88%
or roughly 4.1 billion years
- Broken into 3 parts
namely:
 Hadean – considered
as a chaotic eon
mainly due to the
meteorites that
constantly hit Earth,
causing most severe
volcanic activities.
 During this eon, the
atmosphere and
ocean were formed and the core, the crust was also stabilized. The
Hadean is coming from the word hades, which means “hell”.
 Archean – it is characterized by the period of Earth became warm,
but the atmosphere contains only methane and only few to no oxygen.
 It lasted for 1.3 Ga (Giga annum). Most of the Earth is still covered
with water. And the formation of the continents supposed to begin in
this eon, but not until the mantel is cooled.
 It is characterized by having an orange atmosphere mainly due to the
abundance of methane.
 Proterozoic – this characterizes when the atmosphere began to have
oxygen, eukaryotes spreads, multicellular animals appears, and the
continents began to drift away.
 Only lasted for 1.9 Ga (Giga annum), lasting for a half of the age of
the Earth.
• Paleozoic Era (Early Life)

- In sedimentary layers,
fossils of marine
invertebrates, which
lived near in the
shallow river were
formed. Also found in
the preserved rocks are
fossils of trilobites and
brachiopods.

- This marks the formation of the formation of supercontinent, Pangaea.

 In the middle of Paleozoic era, marine life forms had developed
shells.

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 In Devonian period, animals began to inhale air as amphibians
came out in the sea. Plants, such as marsh plants and giant ferns,
also began to grow and develop during this period.
 In the late Paleozoic era reptiles started to appear. They are seemed
looked much their amphibian ancestors but they were different in
terms that they were able to lay their eggs on land.
 Scientist believes that the remains of these plants formed huge
deposits in many parts of the world.
• Mesozoic era
(Middle life)
- This era was marked
by the breakup of the
major landmasses.
North America began
to part from Europe
and South America,
and Africa began to
separate from
Australia, New
Zealand, and India.
- Dinosaurs - The
largest creatures that existed during this era which is descendants of the
primitive reptiles that survived throughout the Paleozoic era.
• Cenozoic era
(Late life)
- Periods of ice age played
a role of formation of vast
geological features on
Earth today.
- Volcanic activities
became widespread,
forming immeasurable
flows of lava and basalt.
- Warm blooded animals,
such as marsupials, and primitive mammals journeyed the land.
- It was the during this period humans begin to left their marks on the land,
as scientist observed in the stone tools that were used.

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

All About Geologic Time.
Let’s further check your skills as a geologist and paleontologist through answering
the following:
Answer the following questions
1. Explain the relationships among eons, epochs, and periods of the geologic time
scale.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. How did scientist account for fossils and other geological evidence as they
developed the geologic time scale?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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Matching Time. Match the description with the appropriate subdivision of the
geologic time scale. Use the term once.

Description Term
1. Hadean, Archean, and A. Paleozoic
Proterozoic
2. Triassic, Jurassic, and B. Cenozoic
Cretaceous
3. Tertiary and Quaternary C. Precambrian
4. Cambrian, Ordovician, D. Mesozoic
Silurian, Devonian,
Carboniferous, and Permian

Directions: Draw the clock pictured at the bottom. Then label it with the following
events on the clock:
a. 12:01 A.M. – formation of Earth
b. 2:59 A.M. – first rocks on Earth
c. 3:00 – 4:30 A.M. – bracket this time period and label it “1st prokaryotes”
d. Noon 1:00 P.M. – bracket this time period and label it “accumulation of free
oxygen”
e. 1:30 – 3:00 P.M. – bracket this time period and label it “1st eukaryotes”
f. 6:00 – 6:45 P.M. - bracket this time period and label it “1st multicellular
organisms”
g. 6:45 – 7:00 P.M. - bracket this time period and label it “1st animals”
h. 9:30 – 10:00 P.M. – “invasion of land by plants”
i. 11:00 – 11:30 – “1st flowers”

When do you think humans came on the scene? Explain your choice of time.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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POSTTEST
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. If the answer is not found on the
choices, write letter E and identify the correct answer.

1. What time units are eras subdivided into?

A. Days C. Epochs
B. Eons D. Periods
2. In which era did plants appear?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian
3. Which is the largest division of geologic time?
A. Eon C. Epoch
B. Era D. Period
4. In what era do we belong?
A. Cenozoic C. Mesozoic
B. Jurassic D. Paleozoic
5. What the term “Paleozoic” means?
A. Future life C. Recent life
B. Middle life D. Ancient life
6. During which geologic era did human beings evolve?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian
7. In what era was there an abundance of large reptiles?
A. Cenozoic C. Paleozoic
B. Mesozoic D. Precambrian
8. The following characteristic enabled reptiles to spread on land. Which may be
omitted from the list?
A. Scales protect the skin from drying up.
B. A shell protects the egg from drying up and from injury.
C. The massive tail is a powerful tool for offense and defense.
D. An egg yolk provides the developing embryo with a steady supply of
food.
9. Which combination represents the Phanerozoic?
A. Eocene, Cretaceous, Jurassic
B. Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic
C. Precambrian, Cenozoic, Eocene
D. Cenozoic, Precambrian, Paleozoic
10. The presence of different kinds of environmental favors the appearance of new
species that are adopted to those environments. The following are examples of
new environments EXCEPT:
A. a delta at the mouth of a big river
B. a sugarcane field newly plowed after harvest
C. a crater lake formed after eruption of a volcano
D. a new island formed by eruption of a volcano on the ocean floor

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REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET

Name: ____________________________________________ Grade & Section: ____________

Fossils: Evidence of Past Life

REFLECTIVE LEARNING SHEET No. 14
Directions: Write a reflective learning about what you have learned about the
concepts about the Earth’s History through the Geologic Time Scale (GTS)
by answering the questions inside the box. You may express your
answers in a more critical and creative presentation of your great
learning. Have fun and enjoy!

The lesson on the Earth's

•What learnings have I •What examples can I
History through the GTS
found from this lesson? explore and think more?
guides me to ponder on...

•What learnings can I •What good character

•What is my conclusion
share with my family have I developed from
on the lesson?
and peers? this lesson?

REFERENCES
McConnel D., Steer D., Knight C., Owens K & Park L. (2010). The Good Earth introduction to Earth
Science. New York, United States of America: McGraw-Hill international Edition.
Bayo-ang, R., Coronacion, M., Jorda, A., & Restubog, A. (2016). Earth and Life Science for Senior
High School. (M. Moncada, Ed.) Quezon City, Philippines: Educational Resources Corporation.
Lutgens F., & Tarbuck E. (2017) Foundations of Earth Science. United States of America: Pearson
Education Inc.

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Kevin F. Cudal, Teacher I
Editors: Rebecca M. Roxas-EPS
Reviewers: Arlen Gatpo-PSDS
Management Team: Malcolm S. Garma, Regional Director
Genia V. Santos, CLMD Chief
Dennis M. Mendoza, Regional EPS in Charge of LRMS and
Regional ADM Coordinator
Maria Magdalena M. Lim, CESO V, Schools Division
Superintendent-Manila
Aida H. Rondilla, CID Chief
Lucky S. Carpio, Division EPS in Charge of LRMS and
Division ADM Coordinator

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ANSWER SHEET in Earth and Life Science Module

Quarter 1 - Week 6 - Module 14: Fossils: Evidence of Past Life

Name: ______________________________ Grade/ Sec. ____________________ Score: ___

Teacher: ____________________________ School: _________________________ Date: ____

General Directions: Write your answers here from Pre-Test to Post-Test including
the answers in the activities. Detach and submit this part to your teacher upon
his/her direction which usually given after you have completed this module.

PRE-TEST
1) 3) 5) 7) 9)
2) 4) 6) 8) 10)

LOOKING BACK TO YOUR LESSON

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

ACTIVITIES
Activity 14: Geologic Time Activity
Answer to the Questions:
1. ____________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________________________

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Answer to the Questions:
1. ____________________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________________

Matching Time

1) _________ 2) _________ 3) _________ 4) _________

Question: When do you think humans came on

the scene? Explain your choice of time.
Answer: _______________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

POSTTEST
1) 3) 5) 7) 9)
2) 4) 6) 8) 10)

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