Geological History Teacher Resources

Earth didn't always have oxygen, so what caused the change that allows humans to live here? Learn about the change in O2 levels throughout geological history through an interactive graph. Each section offers greater detail on the changes...

More of a mini-unit than a lesson, these activities lead inquisitors through a survey of oil deposits. In the first part, they read about and view diagrams of sedimentary rock layers that trap oil. Next, they test porosity and...

Why are there old dinosaur bones in the museum? Because they can't afford new ones! The chapter contains seven hands-on activities at four different levels covering geological eras, dinosaurs, timelines, and statigraphy. 

Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...

If you are a geology teacher in the state of Virginia, then this resource is right up your alley! It examines the five geologic provinces of Virginia: The Coastal Plain, The Piedmont, The Blue Ridge Mountains, The Valley and Ridge...

Students review an interpretation of geologic history and relate it to the formation of oil deposits. They explore and explain factors controlling the porosity and permeability of sediments and sedimentary rocks. Pupils also interpret...

Here is a fine lesson plan on geology designed for high schoolers. Learners use rocks, fossils, and other geological clues to determine the geology of an area. Then, they make recommendations to a fictitious city council about the...

High schoolers combine information from several field labs to construct an overall geologic history of the local region. They are able to use published reports of the geologic history as they compile their own version.

How do scientists know the history of Earth before humans—or any mammals—existed? An epic "Eons" series video explains the larger history of geologic time. It highlights the eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages scientists use to divide...

Every living creature can leave a fossil record, yet most fossils belong to extinct organisms rather than ones currently living. Scholars learn about dating rock layers, fossils, and the environment of the past. Pupils understand that...

Holocene, Pleistocene, Pliocene, Miocene, Oligocene, Eocene, Paleocene ... wait, did I miss one? PBS Digital Studios explains how human impact on Earth has potentially brought about a new epoch in geologic history, the Anthropocene. The...

Don't get your classes all shook up about plate movement, instead use a thorough unit that guides learners to an understanding of plate tectonics. The lessons incorporate a study of the types of plate boundaries and their effects on the...

How are the Hawaiian Islands different from other island chains? Discover the surprising geologic history of Hawaii with a video from a cool physics playlist. The narrator takes a hike with some geologists and discusses mantle plume...

Don't get sedimental when you learn the history of geology. The video focuses on James Hutton who, in the 1700s, came up with a theory based on rock layers. Without using any modern dating tools, he was able to theorize the earth was...

Want to test pupils' knowledge of world events? The assessment addresses global history, such as the ideas of the enlightenment, trade, and geography in five different sections. Pupils answer multiple choice, document-based items, and...

What does the class know about world history and geography? The assessment tests high school scholars' skills in a state standardized test from the New York Department of Education. It covers topics such as the Enlightenment and the...

When did life start on Earth? An enchanting video introduces some of the earliest times in the history of our planet. From rocks that no longer exist to the development of oceans and plate tectonics, The resource details the first couple...

Students explore the significance and geologic history of the Kerguelen Plateau Large Igneous Province, as revealed by Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Legs 120 and 183. They examine all the source material and write an essay addressing the...

Students take a virtual field trip around California using Google Earth. In this geology field trip lesson, students explore landforms and a variety of rocks located in California.  Students compare environments where rocks are formed....

In this geologic history of Long Island Sound worksheet, students read about how the Long Island sound was formed through rivers and glaciers advancing and retreating. Students answer 5 questions about the reading and the formation of...