• Use Corel Draw or any drawing program to present the Geological Time Scale.

• Use fossils to represent specific time periods in the history of the earth.

• Students will learn to use a great new piece of software. In this process they will gain an understanding of the Geological Time Scale and how different fossils are used in the correlation of its time boundaries. Students will also learn to work collaboratively in small groups.

• Prepare a handout for the new software program that they will be using.

• Prepare an activity sheet which includes the outline, timelines and any relevant Websites.

• Get a Geological Time Scale so the students can get a visual representation of what is expected of them.

• Prepare a lesson that will introduce the Geological Time Scale and how fossils represent specific time periods in the history of the earth.

1. Go through the introductory lesson.
2. Give students the activity sheet and have a discussion about what they will actually be doing.
3. Break students into small groups of 2 or 3 students.
4. Allow students to do some online research about the Geological Time Scale and some age defying fossils. If you have carried out the Fossil Web Page activity than the students may take the necessary information from there with respect to the fossils.
5. After the students have completed their research you can introduce the new software and allow them to practice. Make sure you give them the handout with the tips for using the software.
6. Allow students the time to draw the Geological Time Scale and input their fossil data.
7. Allow students to present their finished product to the class.
8. I recommend that you carry this activity out in class time, students will need some help with the relationship of the fossils. I would allow 2 to 3 classes with some required time outside of class for completion.

Software

• Corel Draw or any other Drawing Program

Websites

• http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/environment/enviro_sites.htm
  

• http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fosrec/
  

• http://www.extinctions.com/extinctions_com/timeline/timeline.shtml
  

• Evaluate the students Geological Time Scale according to its accuracy of dates and fossil coordination. Marks should also be allocated for the accuracy of the drawing and the presentation of the finished product.

• Allowing students to use their information from a previous activity like the fossil Webpage to predict the boundaries with the ages of some extinct fossils. This will only aid in their understanding of fossils and they will use these relationships in predicting past environments and dates.

• Allow students to work in groups because of the complicated interpretation of the coordination of fossils within the Geological Time Scale.

• Enhancement could also come in the form of a Power Point Presentation.  It is a great way for the students to display their end products.