Exit Full Screen
DISCUSS:
How could you find out what your town was like before people lived there?
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
DISCUSS:
How can the same spot have fossils of LAND animals AND fossils of AQUATIC animals?
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Teachers: If you are short on time, this is a good stopping point.
You can come back and use your completed Colossal Canyon model next time.
If you’re continuing right now, advance to the next slide.
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
Exit Full Screen
In this lesson, students gather evidence to describe how environments on Earth have changed over time. Students explore how the process of sedimentary rock formation preserves a record of those past environments. In the activity, Canyon Explorer, students observe fossils found within a model canyon. The characteristics of those fossils provide evidence to support the explanation that the landscape has changed numerous times.
Preview activity| Colossal Canyon printout | 1 per pair |
| Colossal Canyon Answer Key teacher-only resource | 1 per class |
| Fossil Cards printout | 1 per pair |
|
Glue Sticks
|
1 glue stick per student |
|
Scissors
|
1 pair per student |
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.
If you have limited time, you can divide this lesson into two sessions. We have marked a natural stopping point after the construction of the model canyon.
Part 1: Develop the Colossal Canyon Model.
Part 2: Use the Colossal Canyon Model begins here .
Colossal Canyon is a model, but if you and your students are curious, each layer roughly corresponds to a real geologic time period. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out our Extension with links to help you explore rocks and fossils throughout the National Park System in the United States.
Student slideshow: English | Spanish
Teacher printout: English & Spanish
In this reading, students learn 5 fascinating facts about volcanoes.
You can elaborate student learning and engagement with Mystery Science mini-lessons.
How old is the Earth? In this mini-lesson students explore how rock layers can help us figure out how old the Earth is.
What's the best place to look for dinosaur fossils? In this mini-lesson students discover that understanding rock types can help you discover dinosaur fossils.
If you are in an NGSS state, these mini-lessons support the DCI ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth
Fossil Hunt — Everything you need to prepare to go on a fossil hunt of your very own. The American Museum of Natural History provides guidance on the supplies you’ll need and how keeping a field journal is an important part of fossil discovery!
Layers of Time Fossil Game — Play an online fossil game developed by paleontologist Sterling Nesbitt at the American Museum of Natural History. Watch the video to learn how sedimentary rocks and fossil patterns help us understand when organisms go extinct. Then play the online game to test your skills!
Colossal Canyon from this lesson’s activity is a model. In reality, there is no single location that has rocks from every geologic period. National Parks across the United States often have rocks and fossils from a specific geologic time scale. You can explore those geologic time scales and find out which types of rocks and fossils can be found at a National Park near you!
Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:
Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.
Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.
Please follow these steps:
Locked
6:10
Why is the sky blue?
Locked
4:41
Why do we call them doughnuts?
Locked
5:16
Could a turtle live outside its shell?
Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.
View pricing