December Earth Science Lesson Plans
Date
12/1-12/2
Tues/Wed
12/3-12/4
Thurs/Fri
Objectives

Discuss the different types
of glaciers and where each
glacier is found
 Describe how glaciers move
and differentiate between
the different types of
glaciers
 Identify the landscape
features that glaciers form

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12/7-12/8
Mon/Tues
Activities


Identify the landscape
features formed by glaciers
Explore how Montana was
impacted by the last ice age
Interpret rock layers using
principles of relative dating
and absolute age dating.
Explain how rocks allow
geologists to interpret
Earth’s history
MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
Check question sheet and Discuss 7.1
Glacier Notes: Types of glaciers, how glaciers move,
glacier erosion, landforms created by glaciers
 Glacier Pictures: Identify each type of landform
 How the Ice Age Impacted Montana- Glacial Lake
Missoula- Discussion and pictures (15 mins)
Standards
MSCS 4: BM 4
HW: Glacial Features worksheet
MSCS 4: BM 4

Review glacial features (10 mins)
Virtual Field Trip: “How the Ice Age Helped Shape
Montana” (60 mins)- Follow the directions on the
worksheet to visit several websites and answer
questions about glaciers and Montana’s landscape
Quest (Quiz/Test) Review

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Review
Glaciers/Water Quest (40 mins)
Read 12.1 and complete question sheet (15 mins)
Relative dating discussion/go over notes

BM= Benchmark
MSCS 4: BM 4
12/9-12/10
Wed/Thurs
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12/11-12/14
Fri/Mon

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12/15-12/16
Tues/Wed
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Interpret rock layers using
principles of relative dating
and absolute age dating.
Explain how rocks allow
geologists to interpret
Earth’s history
Define fossils and explain
how fossils are made
Identify the factors that
determine if an organism
will become a fossil
Define fossils and explain
how fossils are made
Identify the factors that
determine if an organism
will become a fossil


Review: Uniformitariansim, James Hutton, Relative
Dating- Sequence of events, Law of Superposition,
Principle of Original Horizontality, Principle of CrossCutting Relationships, Inclusions, Unconformities,
Correlation of Rock Layers
Relative Dating Workbook Activity (60 mins)- Discuss
HW: Finish workbook activity
 Review relative dating (10 mins)
 Fossil Discussion/Notes (20 mins)- Fossil
Formation, Unaltered Remains, Altered Remains –
petrified, molds, casts, carbonation, preservation
(amber), Indirect Evidence (tracks, burrows, etc.),
Conditions Favoring Preservation
 Fossils and Geologic Time Webquest (50 mins)- Life
has a history, Fossil Record, Understanding
Geologic Time

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Geologic Time Activity
What is absolute age dating and how is it different
than relative age dating? (15 mins)- Notes/discussion
Handout Chapter 12 Test Review

MSCS 4: BM 4

MSCS 4: BM 4

MSCS 4: BM 4
HW: Read 12.3 and complete question sheet (20 mins)
Study for test- TEST NEXT CLASS
12/17-12/18
Thurs/Fri

Chapter 12 Assessment
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MSCS= Montana Science Content Standard
Test (45 mins)- Geologic Time, Relative Dating,
Absolute Dating, Fossils
Planet Earth Episode
BM= Benchmark
MSCS 4: BM 4