MS: ESS1-4 Bell Ringers

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Courthouse Butte
Draw a diagram of Courthouse Butte in Arizona.
Label the oldest and youngest layers in the diagram.

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.
The Wave in Arizona
The Wave, in Northern Arizona, exposes layers of sanstone from over 100 million years ago.
What do you notice about this rock formation? What could have caused the features that you see?

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources

Video: New Tab

Rock Layers
What might have caused this rock to have layers that are different colors?

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources 

Video: New Tab 

Beach with rock layers
Describe what you observe about the rocks in this picture.

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources

 

Horseshoe Bend Colorado River view
Describe what you observe in this picture of the Grand Canyon.
What do you think caused the canyon to form?

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources

Video: New Tab

Arches National Park
What do you think caused these arches to form in the sandstone at Arches National Park?

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources

USGS.gov Resources: New Tab

Ammonite Fossils
These shell fossils are called Ammonites.
What can we learn from these fossils about the place and time these Ammonites lived?

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.
Fossilized Fish
Describe a possible explantion for how this fish became fossilized.

Common Misconceptions

    • Earth is relatively young.
    • Earth has not changed much over time.
    • Fossils are parts of dead animals and plants.
    • Fossils of tropical plants and animals cannot be found in cold or dry areas.

Additional Resources

AMNH Ology: New Tab

Volcano
Describe how volcanoes change the surface of Earth.
Include a diagram in your explanation.

Common Misconceptions

    • Eruptions start at the top of a volcano.
    • Earth is relatively young.
    • Earth has not changed much over time.
Hawaii
How do you think the Hawaiian Islands formed?
Include a diatram as part of your explanation.

Common Misconceptions

    • Earth is relatively young.
    • Earth has not changed much over time.

 

Additional Resources

Video: New Tab

NOAA: New Tab

Crater Lake
Crater Lake was formed over 7,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed, leaving a giant calder.
Draw and label a picture to show what this area may have looked like 8,000 years ago.

Common Misconceptions

    • Earth is relatively young.
    • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources

Video: New Tab

 

Great Lakes
The Great Lakes began to form at the end of the Last Glaciel Period around 14,000 years go.
Explain how retreating ice sheets could result in giant lakes.
Include a diagram in your explanation.

Common Misconceptions

  • Earth is relatively young.
  • Earth has not changed much over time.

Additional Resources 

European Space Agency Video: New Tab