1. Introduction

• Students will watch the two-minute evolution video on Evolution followed by an informal "prior knowledge gathering" session.  A list of what students already know about fossils and evoltuion will be made on the board in order for the teacher to adjust things to what the students need.  This introductory lesson will last one 85 minute class period. 
  

2. Objectives

• Students will be able to identify different types of fossils and explain the method of creation for each fossil. 
  
• Students will make a list of things to do for their group presentations on a specific geologic time period.
  

• Computer Access. Option for this lesson:  3. The $2,900 solution: 1 computer with projection system

3. Teacher Input

• The teacher input portion of the lesson will begin with a model of a type of fossil.  The teacher will bring in a pan filled with mud with three types of footpritns in it (dog, cat, human).  The students will be asked to identify what kind of animal made those tracks.  This will demonstrate the process paleontologists go through when they find a fossil.  This activity will be followed by a mini-lecture on the concept of fossils and their importance.   Then, using the in-class projection system, the teacher will have a powerpoint explaining the different types of fossils.  As each type is discussed, the teacher will pass around a real example of that type of fossil.  Teacher will explain that different fossils signify different time periods, which will open up discussion of the group projects.
  

4. Guided Practice

• Students will be broken up into their group presentation groups (total of four groups).  The groups will get together and draw out of a hat a time period for them to research and present to the class.  They will then read articles about their respective time period and brainstorm some ideas of how they would like to present their information.  They will make a list of what they need to research and a list of what they will need in order to complete the project.  Teacher will circulate the room will giving ideas and answering questions for each group. 
  

5. Independent Practice

• Homework:  Students will be given ten index cards.  On each index card they will write down a memorable event in their life and when it occured. These cards will be used to make a time line of the students' lives.  These time lines will be used  as a comparison for the geologic time scale.
  

6. Closure

• For the last 20 minutes of class, the teacher will show the movie Jurassic Park.  For the last bit of each class for the unit, they will continue Jurassic Park.  As they watch it, they will right down the things that we have talked about in class that are talked about in the movie.