In this history of life on Earth reading passage, learn about how scientists break up geologic time into eras and periods and discover how life changed over time. Includes a corresponding worksheet with follow-up questions.
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In this activity, students will:
- READ an article about how geologic time is organized and the major changes that occurred in each era and period.
- ANSWER text-dependent questions. No prior knowledge is required. All information in the questions comes directly from the text.
Easy to Correct!
This reading has four pages. Each page of the reading corresponds neatly to one period of time. The worksheets are organized in the same way as the reading. One page of the reading = one page of the worksheets. So, you can very easily break this up into 4 smaller assignments.
Key Topics Covered:
- Geologic time is divided into eons, eras, periods, and epochs.
- Eras begin and end when major changes to Earth’s life forms and environmental changes occur.
- Major characteristics of each era and period.
- Descriptions of major life forms (with example pictures) of life forms in each period.
Teacher Notes:
- GO PAPERLESS! Use the included digital Google Slides version.
- An answer key is provided.
- Please note that this history of life on Earth reading is not editable.
- You can also shop my TPT store!
- Complete my complete Geologic Time & Fossils Unit!
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-ESS1-4: 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.
- NGSS MS-LS4-1: Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record that document the existence, diversity, extinction, and change of life forms throughout the history of life on Earth under the assumption that natural laws operate today as in the past.
