Fossil Notes Lesson Plan (Direct Instruction)

Teacher:Julie Koshy

Subject/Grade: Earth & Space

Date: Mar. 14, 2016

Standard:
S6.C3.PO9. Analyze patterns in the fossil record related to the theory of organic evolution.
Objective (SWBAT):
Apply knowledge of the fossil record to describe how they are used and what they can reveal.
Sub-objectives, SWBAT (Sequenced from basic to complex):
State the different types of fossils.
Describe the types of information a fossil can reveal.
Describe how geologists use fossils.
Evidence of Mastery: Students will complete a quiz that will require students to apply their knowledge of
the fossil record; a score of 15/18 will demonstrate mastery.
Key vocabulary: fossils, layers, organisms, age,
&radiometric dating.

Materials: Fossil PowerPoint, fossil record &

time quiz, projector, projector screen, related
images and videos, students lab notebooks, &
writing utensils

Independ

Guided Practice

Instructional Input

Opening/Anticipatory Set: (state objectives, connect to previous learning, and make relevant to real life)
Do you know how old you are? What about how old whomever you live with is? Does anyone take a
class that keeps track of how old events happened? (History) Humans are obsessed with keeping track
of how old things are and geologists use the fossil record in order to do this.
Teacher Will:
Present information regarding the fossil record
using the PowerPoint and ask higher order
thinking questions

Student Will:
Take notes and answers questions posed by
the teacher.

Differentiation:
Students who have difficulty writing the notes can be given the slides ahead of time.
Teacher Will:
Play the videos and describe the images.

Student Will:
Take notes according to what the
teacher says.

Differentiation:
Students who have difficulty understanding spoken English can have the captions on the
videos.
Teacher Will:
Provides students with a quiz to assess
students ability to apply knowledge of the fossil

Student Will:
Complete the assessment
independently.

ent Practice

record.

Differentiation:
Students who require it can be given extra time or be able to take tests in a quite
environment.

Closure/Lesson Summary:
Summarize what you learned about the fossils record and how it is used in less than 12 words.