This article describes common misconceptions held by elementary students about the history of the polar regions, fossils, and geologic time. The article provides ideas for formative assessment, teaching strategies, and the National Science Education Standards.

This is a quick activity that shows how large amounts of rock and sediment are added to the edge of continents during subduction. You may ask, how can such a huge phenomenon be demonstrated quickly and cheaply? The answer is simple: with a cookie!

In this activity, learners use crayons to draw conclusions about rocks and the rock cycle. Learners form crayons ((which can be "weathered"--heated, compressed and cooled--like rocks) into models of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.

Earth Science SOL ES.9 states that students should interpret the history of the Earth from fossils. In theory this is easy, but may take years to be proficient at identifying index fossils and getting their geologic age. I have created an app that allows students to measure fossils,  get their identity down to the genus level and their geologic age, in under 5 minutes! The app also can calculate the surface are of the shells. 

This article provides links to web sites about geologic time, fossils, and the archaeology and culture of the Arctic for elementary teachers.

This BLOSSOMS lesson will help students conceptualize the enormity of geologic time and learn about important events in Earth s history. Students will also learn how geologic time can help explain seemingly incomprehensible processes, like the formation of the Himalayan Mountains from a flat plain to their current height, and the evolution of a tiny group of reptiles into enormous dinosaurs. During the breaks, students will construct a geologic timeline of their own in the classroom and do simple calculations to determine how long amounts of time can lead to impressive changes in the height of the Himalayan Mountains and the size of a group of reptiles.

This observational inquiry activity involving careful descriptions of rocks and fossil including age will be used to create a scalar accurate geologic time scale. Students will observe and learn that the geologic time scale was created based on changes in fossil, rock, and atmospheric changes.

This article highlights children's literature about fossils, dinosaurs, archaeology, and paleontology for use in the elementary classroom.

During the Coronovirus, many museums were shut down. I have been given permission by the Virginia Museum of Natural History to use their pictures of their fossils and exhibits in this virtual museum. Student can access this on their chromebook or pc. The displays are inquiry based and students are encouraged to fill in the attached worksheet as they tour the museum.