Fossils
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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What an index fossil is.
How index fossils can be used to study past life. - Standards
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SFUSD Performance Standard 17.10 Describing
how fossil deposits and rock formations help date when changes have occurred on Earth.
- Science Probe Text
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Science Probe II Chapter 12.3 gives a brief explanation of how fossils
provide important clues to finding the relative and absolute ages of rock layers.
Students are also introduced to index fossils, fossils that are useful for
inferring the geologic age of a rock layer.
Activity Access Description Science Probe II: Activity 12E
A Matching Puzzle
This problem-solving activity requires students to apply geologic principles to determine the ages of different fossils, much like a paleontologist would. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Who's On First? Museum of Paleontology
Students learn how paleontologists use fossils to give relative dates to rock strata by sequencing letters written on cards then sequencing fossil pictures printed on "rock layer" cards. They are asked to determine the presence of index fossils and explain the law of superposition. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Index Fossils USGS
You can view a Geologic Time Line that shows images and names of index fossils for different time periods. The time scale could be printed out for students to use or as an overhead. Museum of Paleontology Web Site Museum of Paleontology
This web site contains online exhibits about fossils and living organisms, time periods, phylogeny, geology, evolution, and more. Includes many good images and descriptions of past life.