Topic 6: History of Earth 

Lesson 2: Geologic Time Scale

Term 2, Week 12, Day 3 Lesson Structure:

Starter • Open-ended question

Lesson Objective(s):
• Defining the geologic time scale.
• Explaining the purpose of geologic timescale.
• I do: Explaining geologic timescale and its purpose.
• Listing the major divisions of geologic timescale. •We do: Solve and discuss the AFL questions and
Core examples given.
•You do: Work on differentiated core task and
plenary, asking teacher for help, if required.

Materials: PPT, Copy Book

Plenary • Access Mastery Connect to answer questions.

Requirement: Handout + Mastery Connect + Google

Classroom
MS-ESS1-4: Construct a scientific explanation based
on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time
scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old
Resources: Textbook, Youtube history.

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General Instructions
Hello dear students, before we start, please follow the instructions
below:
1- Have your science copybook ready.

2- As usual, write down the date, title and lesson objective.

3 – All have to do your differentiated core task

4 – Don’t forget to finish the mastery connect quiz before the end of the
session.
5 – Your attendance is a must, even if you did your task, you have to
sign your attendance.
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The Structure of the Lesson
I Do

Introducing and sharing of objective – Explaining geologic timescale and its purpose.

We Do

Solve and discuss the AFL questions and examples given

You Do: Solve the following assignments:

 Core Differentiated Activities – will be shared with you on Google Classroom

 Plenary ( taking a quiz using Mastery Connect)

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Lesson Objective(s)
- Defining the geologic timescale.
- Explaining the purpose of geologic timescale.
- Listing the major divisions of geologic timescale.

Keywords
• Geologic timescale
• Era Period

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 Starter activity

Circle the
unconformity.

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 Starter activity

Circle the
unconformity.

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 Geologic Timescale

‘The geologic timescale is a record of the

geologic events and the evolution of life forms as
shown in the rocks and fossil records’.
• Scientists first developed the geologic
timescale by studying rock layers and fossils.
• They gathered evidence using methods of
determining the relative ages of rocks.
• With this evidence, scientist placed Earth’s
rocks in order by relative age.

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 Assessment for Learning (AfL)

What is geologic timescale?

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 Assessment for Learning (AfL) –
Check your answer

The geologic time scale is a

record of the geologic events
and the evolution of life
forms as shown in the rocks
and fossil records.

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 Dividing Geologic Time

Precambrian Time
Geologic time begins with a long
span of time called Precambrian time.
It covers about 88% of Earth’s
history, from 4.6 billions years ago to
541 million years ago.
Few fossils survive from this time
period.

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 Dividing Geologic Time

Eras
Geologists divide the time between the
Precambrian and the present into three long units
of time, called Eras.
Paleozoic Era: Life increased in complexity
and Pangaea formed.
Mesozoic Era: Dominance of Dinosaurs and
Pangaea breaking apart.
Cenozoic Era: Mammals evolved to become
the dominant land animals and the continents
moved to their present day positions.
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 Dividing Geologic Time
Periods
Eras are sub-divided into units of geologic times
called Periods.
Mesozoic era includes three periods:
Triassic period, Jurassic period, and
Cretaceous period.
•Each period is defined by certain events.
•For example, at the end of cretaceous period,
major volcanic eruptions coincided with the
impact on Earth of a huge asteroid. These events
significantly changed the global environment.

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 Determine Central Ideas
Student Student
1 and 2 3 and 4

How do scientists decide How do major change in

where units of geologic Earth history affect fossils?
time begin and end?

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 Determine Central Ideas – Answers!
Student Student
1 and 2 3 and 4

How do scientists decide How do major change in

where units of geologic Earth history affect fossils?
time begin and end?

They use major events in Earth They undergo major changes

history.

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 Connection to Real World

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 Critical Thinking Crit
i
thin cal
king

Determine Differences

How is Precambrian Time different from the other divisions of

the geologic time scale?

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 Critical Thinking – Answers Crit
i
thin cal
king

The Precambrian is the oldest block of time

and it lasted much longer than the other
divisions of time.

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You Do
Differentiated Core Task

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 Plenary: Try to answer the following
questions
Access MasteryConnect to answer questions

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Exit Slip:

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 THANK YOU!

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