8th Grade (SCI) Earth Space Science Standards [ESS1] Earth’s Place in the Universe
SCI-MS.ESS1.04 Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for
how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth's 4.6-billion-year-old
history.
Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on how analyses of rock formations and the fossils they contain are used to establish relative
ages of major events in Earth’s history. Examples of Earth’s major events could range from being very
recent (such as the last Ice Age or the earliest fossils of Homo sapiens) to very old (such as the formation of
Earth or the earliest evidence of life). Examples can include the formation of mountain chains and ocean
basins, the evolution or extinction of particular living organisms, or significant volcanic eruptions. Disciplinary Core Ideas ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth
The geologic time scale interpreted from rock
strata provides a way to organize Earth’s
history. Analyses of rock strata and the fossil
record provide only relative dates, not an
absolute scale.
Student Learning Targets:
Knowledge Targets
I can provide reasons for the divisions of geologic time.
I can compare and contrast relative and absolute dating.
Reasoning Targets
I can
Skills (Performance) Targets
I can use index fossils to determine the relative age of a rock layer.
I can use the law of superposition to determine the relative age of a rock layer.
Product Targets
I can
Proficiency Scale
The Student can ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrate a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
descriptors
2 Developing
... demonstrate no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
provide reasons for the divisions of geologic time.
compare and contrast relative and absolute dating.
3 Proficient
“The Standard.” ... demonstrate no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
use index fossils to determine the relative age of a rock layer.
use the law of superposition to determine the relative age of a rock layer.
4 Advanced
... demonstrate in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
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8th Grade (SCI) Earth Space Science Standards