Week 2 - geological time line and fossils

      On Monday we talked about the geological time scale and discussed how geologists can learn from fossils. Students were divided in 3 groups, and each group was responsible for learning about certain eras in order to prepare a geological time line poster for their classroom. Students used the following website for their research: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/help/timeform.php . In addition to the time line project, we tried to make fossils (molds and casts) using clay, plastic animals and plaster of paris. Unfortunately the fossil project didn’t turn out as planned, but we will try again!

    On Wednesday, students had approximately 35 minutes to work on their time line poster. During the remaining 40 minutes students worked on a worksheet designed to introduce them to plate tectonics. If you want a copy of the worksheet, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The worksheet was based on the following website: http://www.learner.org/interactives/dynamicearth/index.html . On Monday we will have a discussion about plate tectonics with a focus on the geology of CA. My goal is to have students appreciate geological processes before experiencing Yosemite.

    I was really excited to see our grass seedlings today! Becca and Katrin did a great job watering the soil.