Earth's History (5-8)

* The earth processes we see today, including erosion, movement of the crustal plates, and changes in the atmospheric composition, are similar to those that occurred in the past. Earth history is also influenced by occasional catastrophes, such as the impact of an asteroid or comet.  * Fossils provide important evidence of how life and environmental conditions have changed over time.   (NSES, 1996)

The name of this well designed "learning tool" is called Geologic History of Earth.  Watch a geologic history of the earth from 600,000,000 years ago to 200,000,000 years into the future. This interactive was developed by the Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development group. Be sure to visit their other interactives at their Science Lab.

The name of this "learning tool" is called What's the Big Idea? This visual lesson give a short overview of earth structure and history. This was developed by the American Museum of Natural History and is part of their Ology web site. Check it out for tons of science ideas for your students and classes.

The name of this wonderful learning tool is Life Has a History. Level One is designed for K-4, while Level 2 is designed for Grades 5 to 12. This learning tool comes to us from the University of California Museum of Paleontology, and is part of their site called Explorations Through Time. The Explorations Through Time has a number of very good interactive about life changing over time. Great work.

The name of this "learning tool" is Deep Time. Explore 4 billion years of life on Earth. Flash is required. This interactive activity comes from the PBS web site Evolution of the same name. PBS is a leader in science education and this site is a fine example of this work.

Use this "learning tool" called Fossil Gallery to explore the history of life through fossils. Click on a group of fossils, select a geologic time period or use the menus below to begin. Use the help buttons for more information about taxonomic groupings. This wonderful site comes to us from the Paleontology Portal. 

Use this "learning tool" map, called Exploring Time and Space to explore the history of life through geologic time in North America. Click on the map or on the geologic time scale to begin. Or use the menus below to narrow your search. This wonderful site comes to us from the Paleontology Portal.
 

Use this "learning tool" map, called Famous Finds to explore famous fossil sites in the U.S. that help us explain the  history of life through geologic time in North America. Click on the map or on the geologic time scale to begin. Or use the menus below to narrow your search. This wonderful site comes to us from the Paleontology Portal.
 

The name of this "learning tool" is called Understanding Geologic Time. This tool comes to us from the University of California Museum of Paleontology. They have done a wonderful job of developing interactive lessons that really capture the essence of the concept they are explaining.

The name of this clever "learning tool" is called Geo Mysteries. Rocks that float. Golden cubes. What's going on here? Join Rex the Dino Detective and solve these mysteries about rocks, fossils and minerals. Includes an interactive animated exploration of a slab of fossilized sea floor. This interactive is produced by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

The name of this clear and concise learning tool is Radioactive Dating Game.  Learn about different types of radiometric dating, such as carbon dating. Understand how decay and half life work to enable radiometric dating to work. Play a game that tests your ability to match the percentage of the dating element that remains to the age of the object. The incredibly wonderful web site called PhET has developed this site.