Date: Fri.

11/07/14
Unit: Earths History
Lesson Length:1 day
Resources/Technology/Supplies:
Laptop Computers
Pen/pencil
Worksheet provided by teacher
Cross Curriculum Connections: Reading, writing, using computer simulations to solve problems
Essential Question: : How do geologic events occurring now allow us to determine geologic events of the
past?
Standards:

5.1: The students will illustrate the atomic theory by using the periodic table of elements,
including information about isotopes.
5.2: The students will identify the different types of chemical bonds.

1.3: The students will communicate scientifically.

Daily Objective:

Students will be able to:

1. Observe that the blue nuclei are 14C or parent isotopes and decay into 14N
or daughter isotopes
2. Observe that then blue nuclei are 14N or daughter isotopes developed from
the radioactive decay of 14C nuclei
3. Observe that 14C isotopes approach zero but never really get there
4. Observe that 14N isotopes approach 100% but never really get there
5. Determine the absolute ages of different fossils and rocks while playing
the Radioactive Dating Game using different radiometric dating methods
(i.e. 14C, 238U, or several custom intermediate radiometric dating methods)
Lesson:

The students will access the University of Colorado PhET website and utilize computer
simulations to see how radioactive parent isotopes decay to form stable daughter isotopes
and to
determine absolute ages of various fossils and rocks in the stratigraphic record.
Closure:

Review the main characteristics among the different types of minerals.

Homework: None

Evaluation: Students will be graded as part of their Earths History. Unit test will be given.

REFLECTION
This lesson definitely engaged the students. However,
Students were not able to make the connection that different radiometric age dating
methods are utilized based on different ages of the fossils and whether they are organic
vs.
inorganic.
Students were not able to make the connection that if one radiometric age dating method
was utilized on a given sample, that no other radiometric age method would be able to be
utilized on that same sample
Students were not able to make the connection that as one delved deeper into the
subsurface, samples become older
This all stemmed from the fact that the implementation of these computer simulations
came too soon in the Unit. During our last PLC Geoscience Group meeting when this lesson was
proposed, I warned that this is too soon in the unit and should be implemented after the sections
of Geologic History, Geologic Timescale, and Index Fossils were introduced. To implement
these simulations correctly, the students need to have a good understanding of the Law of
Superposition and Horizontality, and a good understanding of Geologic Time and Index Fossils.
Also, one more day of radiometric dating methods would have been beneficial as well. The one
day we were able to spend on radiometric dating did not allow for the discussion of different
radiometric dating methods other than 14C/14N. But I was overruled by a veteran teacher whose
expertise was chemistry and not Geoscience.
In my opinion, this lesson failed the students. The students did not fail on their own.
However, I believe that this lesson should be implemented after the concepts of the Law of
Superposition and horizontality, the Geologic Time Scale, and Index Fossils have been presented
and discussed. Then, I believe the light will go on in the students heads and the will have that
Ah Ha moment and things will come together for them. They will achieve an understanding
and mastery of the concepts of radiometric age dating.
So, the lesson learned here is: there is a proper, logical sequence/progression of the way
concepts need to be taught to be able to achieve academic success by the students. So, teach that
way.