Earth's Changes Through Time: Geologic Time
Main Topics | Standards | Science Probe | Lessons | Resources
- Main Topics & Concepts
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Understanding the difference between relative and absolute time.
How relative and absolute time are used to study the past. - Standards
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SFUSD Content 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 addresses the topic of geological time.
12.1 provides an introduction to relative and absolute age.
12.3 focuses on relative age, while 12.4 focuses on absolute age.
Activity Access Description Science Probe II: Activity 12B
Estimating Age
This activity asks students to estimate the age of four items pictured in the book. Then students compare the ages of the first four photos, with photos of similar items with different ages. They articulate the clues they used to estimate the age and discuss difficulties in the task. Science Probe II: Activity 12C
Putting Things in Order
Students try to put two different people's lists of events in chronological order. They write down the questions they asked to determine the correct order. - Activities & Lessons
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Activity Access Description Sequencing Time Museum of Paleontology
Students learn about absolute and relative time by sequencing their life on a timeline. - Resources
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Resources Access Description Geologic Time USGS
This on-line general interest publication gives information the age of the Earth and introduces the concepts of absolute and relative time. It describes the geologic time scale and various methods for dating rocks and fossils.
Rather text-intensive, with pictures and charts.