changes in landscapes

Greetings from Michigan

• The author shares experiences camping in Petoskey near Lake Michigan.

• Found a Petoskey stone, which is said to have originated from coral.

• Question raised: How did coral exist if Michigan was formed by glaciers? How did geological processes lead to coral growth in these waters?

Understanding Geological Changes

• The landscape of Michigan has changed over time.

• Engage Students: Explore assumptions about geological history through personal experiences.

• Inquiry into the evidence of coral existence and sedimentary processes.

Science Standards Overview

• Performance Expectations (4-ESS1-1):

  • Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils to explain changes in landscapes over time.

  • Examples include:

    • Rock layers with marine fossils atop plant fossils indicating a transition from land to water.

    • Canyons showcasing diverse rock layers revealing rivers' erosive influence over time.

  • Assessment focuses on relative geologic time, not specific rock formation details.

Science and Engineering Practices

• Constructing Explanations:

  • Builds upon prior experiences developing scientific explanations based on evidence (grades 3-5).

  • Importance of specifying variables to describe or predict phenomena.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

• ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth:

  • Rock formations exhibit changes over time due to earth forces, including earthquakes.

  • Fossil type presence indicates rock layer chronological order.

Patterns in Geology

• Crosscutting Concepts:

  • Patterns used as evidence to uphold scientific explanations.

  • Science assumes consistency in natural systems informing geological observations.

Earth Forces Overview

• Forces impacting earth’s landscape:

  • Sea level changes leading to land exposure or submergence.

  • Volcanic eruptions shaping landforms.

  • Glacial movements affecting terrain.

Historical Geologic Time

• Geological Time Scale:

  • Paleontological evidence suggests the existence of ancient life, categorizing eras:

    • Paleozoic Era (570-225 million years ago): Includes coral formations and marine fossils.

    • Mesozoic Era: Known for dinosaurs and significant changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

    • Cenozoic Era: Encompasses recent life forms, including mammals.

Fossil Evidence

• Rock columns illustrate various geological periods:

  • Grand Canyon Sections: Displaying rock layers from Proterozoic to Cenozoic eras, showing evolutionary history.

  • Fossils discovered in specific layers provide insight into ancient environments.

Claims, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Framework

• Components of Scientific Explanations:

  • Claim: A response to questions based on investigation.

  • Evidence: Data supporting the claim.

  • Reasoning: Explanation that connects the evidence to the claim, drawing on scientific principles.

Students' Task Example

• Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Practice:

  • Example question: "How has the landscape changed over time?"

  • Articulate conclusions supported by evidence collected, e.g., fossil types, rock formations.

Concluding Frameworks and Observations

• Emphasizing the importance of argumentation in science.

• Promote skills allowing students to think critically and analyze patterns from data.

• Techniques for teachers include fostering rich discussions and using guiding questions to shape understanding.

Implementing for Learning

• Promoting modeling practices in teaching.

• Use of strategic examples in lessons to facilitate student understanding.

• Investigate lesson effectiveness by assessing engagement in claims, evidence, and reasoning throughout instructional practices.