Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.D.1.1.2
Grade 07 Science - EC: S7.D.1.1.2
Continuum of Activities
The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.
This continuum of activities offers:
- Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
- Questions/activities that grow in complexity
- Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance
Grade Levels
7th Grade
Course, Subject
Science
Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content
Activities
- What is a fossil?
- What does the law of superposition state?
- Would you be more likely to find a fossil in sedimentary, metamorphic, or igneous rock? Why?
- Based on the diagram below, which organism was alive first: coral or ferns? How do you know?
- Scientists know that the fish in layer 4 of this rock formation are about 300 million years old. Your classmate, Amaya, wants to know the age of the animal tracks in layer 5. Can she calculate their exact age based on the age of the fossils in layer 4? Why or why not?
Answer Key/Rubric
- A fossil is the remains or impression of an organism that has been preserved in rock.
- The law of superposition states that in a rock formation, the oldest layer of rock is on the bottom, and the youngest layer is at the top of the formation.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- Sedimentary rocks form when layers of sediment form on top of each other and are compressed into rock.
- It is possible that an organism could become buried and preserved within these layers.
- Metamorphic rocks are created with lots of heat and pressure.
- If an organism was exposed to lots of heat and pressure, it would not be preserved to become a fossil.
- Igneous rocks are formed when lava or magma cools.
- If an organism was in lava or magma, it would not be preserved to become a fossil.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- The law of superposition states that in a rock formation, the oldest layer of rock is on the bottom, and the youngest layer is at the top of the formation.
- Coral is found in a layer of rock closer to the bottom of the rock formation.
- Coral was alive first.
- Acceptable responses may include, but are not limited to:
- The law of superposition states that in a rock formation, the oldest layer of rock is on the bottom, and the youngest layer is at the top of the formation.
- Amaya can conclude that the animal tracks are younger than the fish fossils based on the law of superposition.
- She cannot calculate their exact age based on the age of the fish fossils.
- Rock layers can take millions of years to form.
- There is no way of calculating the exact age of rock layers without measuring isotopes in the rock or another complex method.
