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MS-ESS1-4 Relative Dating Lab Stations Activity | Printable, Digital & Editable
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What others say

"These stations kept the students very engaged while allowing them to move around the room while I checked for understanding. Would recommend."
star
Nicole C.

Description

About this Product

SNAPs Lab Stations Activities require students to use science, math, literacy, problem-solving and engineering skills. They are designed to enhance students' understanding of scientific concepts and help students apply scientific ideas to the real world. Each station activity promotes skills so to develop students into proficient and competent scientific thinkers.

SNAPs lab activities have five components:

Science Skills Station to develop science skill proficiency

Narrative Station to build science literacy

Assessment Station to evaluate learning and understanding

Problem-Solving Station to foster engineering design

Synthesis Station and Project to inspire higher-order learning

Important Notes:

• Download the FREE SNAPs Setup Guide for best practices, signage and editable rubrics

• Download a FREE SNAPs Lab Stations Activity to learn more about my SNAPs labs

• Save $$ with the NGSS Science Lab Stations Bundle ($500 for 200+ labs)

• Save $$$ with the Earth Science Complete Curriculum

• Save $$$$ with the Integrated Science Complete Curriculum

*********************************************************************************************************

DIGITAL LABORATORY – DISTANCE LEARNING & DIGITAL CLASSROOMS

• This lab is offered in a digital format to support digital classrooms & distance learning.

• The digital lab activity is designed to work with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint

• The digital lab activity CANNOT be edited. However:

- Students can manipulate text boxes

- Students can create tables, graphs and diagrams

- Students can insert images and drawings

GOOGLE FORM ASSESSMENT STATION

• The assessment station is offered as a self-grading Google Form.

• Questions are all short answer and are 100% editable.

• Suggestions for use are included in the download.

DISTANCE LEARNING COMPATIBILITY

SNAPs lab activities are rated for their ease with distance – independent learning. Refer to the preview for more information about how well this laboratory works in a fully digital classroom and with distance learning.

*********************************************************************************************************

EDITABLE DOCUMENTS

This download includes an editable word document (docx file) of all lab components:

• Pre-Lab and Post-Lab Activities

• The Lab Overview

• Lab Station Activities and Questions

• Directed Synthesis Project (when applicable)

Important Notes:

• Diagrams, illustrations, tables and graphs essential to lab activities are included

• Illustrative clipart is NOT included

• Editable documents and rubrics are included with the FREE SNAPs Setup Guide

Editable files allow you to:

• Edit the scope of the activities so to suit your students’ needs

• Edit the materials required based on resource availability

• Create single-period “mini-labs” using activities at the individual skills stations

*********************************************************************************************************

The activities at each station in this lab are detailed below.

Relative Dating Lab Stations Activity Learning Objectives

1. Apply the law of superposition and the principle of original horizontality to relatively date rock strata.

2. Determine the relative timing of disturbances, such as faults and igneous intrusions, to the rock layers they affect.

3. Explain how erosion can play a role in altering the size and shape of rock layers.

4. Make observations and use relative dating rules to determine the age of rock layers and formations.

5. Develop a model that demonstrates the sequence of events that results in a specific pattern of rocks in a geologic cross section.

Science Skills Station

Students will study geologic cross sections at this station. They will make observations of rock layers, faults and intrusions and compare their position in the cross sections. Students will sequence the events (such as sedimentary rock formation) using their observations.

Narrative Station

At this station, students will read about four important rules that help scientists relatively date layers of rock. Students will also watch a video about the law of superposition and the principle of original horizontality.

Assessment Station

At this station, students will answer questions about key terms and ideas relating to relative dating. Students must employ lower, mid and higher order thinking skills to answer these questions.

Problem-Solving Station

At this station, students will create a model that sequences events (sedimentary rock layer formation, faults and intrusions) in a geologic cross section. The model will show what the area looked like at different points in time and how events that occur at each of those points result in the pattern of rock formation in the cross section.

Synthesis Station

Students will compose a CER (claim-evidence-reasoning) report to summarize the lab. Students are provided the claim statement and must support the claim with observations, data and other information gathered in the lab. Students will explain how the evidence supports the claim using scientific reasoning.

Synthesis Project

Students will have a choice of 11 projects. Refer to the SNAPs Lab Stations Best Practices and Setup Guide for directions and suggestions on how to conduct the project.

This download includes:

• A pre-lab assignment and post-lab reflection

• Directions and questions for each lab station

• Student recording sheets

• Teacher Key

Additional Materials Required:

1 Computer or tablet

1 Set of colored pencils

Index cards (10 per group)

2 Ziploc sandwich bags

1 Computer or tablet

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS

This laboratory satisfies NGSS MS-ESS1-4. It combines the three dimensions of science learning - science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts - to meet the standard. This lab also makes interdisciplinary connections to STEM, Math CCSS and ELA CCSS to build the appropriate skills.

LINKS TO VIDEOS

This laboratory requires internet to access videos. Videos are hosted on SafeShare.TV so to safely watch and share educational YouTube videos without ads, comments and other distractions. Shortened and full link(s) to SafeShare.TV included. Full link to original YouTube video(s) included.

TERMS OF USE

• All rights reserved by Stephanie Elkowitz.

• This product is to be used by the original purchaser only.

• Intended for classroom and personal use only.

• Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited.

• This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view.

• Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

MS-ESS1-4 Relative Dating Lab Stations Activity | Printable, Digital & Editable

Stephanie Elkowitz
15.1k Followers
$7.00

Highlights

Digital downloads
Standards icon
Standards
Answer Key
Included
Teaching Duration
90 minutes

What others say

"These stations kept the students very engaged while allowing them to move around the room while I checked for understanding. Would recommend."
star
Nicole C.

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Description

About this Product

SNAPs Lab Stations Activities require students to use science, math, literacy, problem-solving and engineering skills. They are designed to enhance students' understanding of scientific concepts and help students apply scientific ideas to the real world. Each station activity promotes skills so to develop students into proficient and competent scientific thinkers.

SNAPs lab activities have five components:

Science Skills Station to develop science skill proficiency

Narrative Station to build science literacy

Assessment Station to evaluate learning and understanding

Problem-Solving Station to foster engineering design

Synthesis Station and Project to inspire higher-order learning

Important Notes:

• Download the FREE SNAPs Setup Guide for best practices, signage and editable rubrics

• Download a FREE SNAPs Lab Stations Activity to learn more about my SNAPs labs

• Save $$ with the NGSS Science Lab Stations Bundle ($500 for 200+ labs)

• Save $$$ with the Earth Science Complete Curriculum

• Save $$$$ with the Integrated Science Complete Curriculum

*********************************************************************************************************

DIGITAL LABORATORY – DISTANCE LEARNING & DIGITAL CLASSROOMS

• This lab is offered in a digital format to support digital classrooms & distance learning.

• The digital lab activity is designed to work with Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint

• The digital lab activity CANNOT be edited. However:

- Students can manipulate text boxes

- Students can create tables, graphs and diagrams

- Students can insert images and drawings

GOOGLE FORM ASSESSMENT STATION

• The assessment station is offered as a self-grading Google Form.

• Questions are all short answer and are 100% editable.

• Suggestions for use are included in the download.

DISTANCE LEARNING COMPATIBILITY

SNAPs lab activities are rated for their ease with distance – independent learning. Refer to the preview for more information about how well this laboratory works in a fully digital classroom and with distance learning.

*********************************************************************************************************

EDITABLE DOCUMENTS

This download includes an editable word document (docx file) of all lab components:

• Pre-Lab and Post-Lab Activities

• The Lab Overview

• Lab Station Activities and Questions

• Directed Synthesis Project (when applicable)

Important Notes:

• Diagrams, illustrations, tables and graphs essential to lab activities are included

• Illustrative clipart is NOT included

• Editable documents and rubrics are included with the FREE SNAPs Setup Guide

Editable files allow you to:

• Edit the scope of the activities so to suit your students’ needs

• Edit the materials required based on resource availability

• Create single-period “mini-labs” using activities at the individual skills stations

*********************************************************************************************************

The activities at each station in this lab are detailed below.

Relative Dating Lab Stations Activity Learning Objectives

1. Apply the law of superposition and the principle of original horizontality to relatively date rock strata.

2. Determine the relative timing of disturbances, such as faults and igneous intrusions, to the rock layers they affect.

3. Explain how erosion can play a role in altering the size and shape of rock layers.

4. Make observations and use relative dating rules to determine the age of rock layers and formations.

5. Develop a model that demonstrates the sequence of events that results in a specific pattern of rocks in a geologic cross section.

Science Skills Station

Students will study geologic cross sections at this station. They will make observations of rock layers, faults and intrusions and compare their position in the cross sections. Students will sequence the events (such as sedimentary rock formation) using their observations.

Narrative Station

At this station, students will read about four important rules that help scientists relatively date layers of rock. Students will also watch a video about the law of superposition and the principle of original horizontality.

Assessment Station

At this station, students will answer questions about key terms and ideas relating to relative dating. Students must employ lower, mid and higher order thinking skills to answer these questions.

Problem-Solving Station

At this station, students will create a model that sequences events (sedimentary rock layer formation, faults and intrusions) in a geologic cross section. The model will show what the area looked like at different points in time and how events that occur at each of those points result in the pattern of rock formation in the cross section.

Synthesis Station

Students will compose a CER (claim-evidence-reasoning) report to summarize the lab. Students are provided the claim statement and must support the claim with observations, data and other information gathered in the lab. Students will explain how the evidence supports the claim using scientific reasoning.

Synthesis Project

Students will have a choice of 11 projects. Refer to the SNAPs Lab Stations Best Practices and Setup Guide for directions and suggestions on how to conduct the project.

This download includes:

• A pre-lab assignment and post-lab reflection

• Directions and questions for each lab station

• Student recording sheets

• Teacher Key

Additional Materials Required:

1 Computer or tablet

1 Set of colored pencils

Index cards (10 per group)

2 Ziploc sandwich bags

1 Computer or tablet

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS

This laboratory satisfies NGSS MS-ESS1-4. It combines the three dimensions of science learning - science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas and crosscutting concepts - to meet the standard. This lab also makes interdisciplinary connections to STEM, Math CCSS and ELA CCSS to build the appropriate skills.

LINKS TO VIDEOS

This laboratory requires internet to access videos. Videos are hosted on SafeShare.TV so to safely watch and share educational YouTube videos without ads, comments and other distractions. Shortened and full link(s) to SafeShare.TV included. Full link to original YouTube video(s) included.

TERMS OF USE

• All rights reserved by Stephanie Elkowitz.

• This product is to be used by the original purchaser only.

• Intended for classroom and personal use only.

• Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited.

• This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view.

• Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Report this resource to TPT
Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

Reviews

5.0
Rated 4.95 out of 5, based on 41 reviews
41
ratings
5
38
4
3
3
0
2
0
1
0
Mostly used with 6th and 7th grades
Reviews
8
7
5
2
2
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
All verified TPT purchases
Amazing resource!
Rated 5 out of 5
March 23, 2026
Great activity to further enforce what students are learning in class!
The Science Market
(TPT Seller)
64 reviews • Georgia
Grades taught: 7th
Rated 5 out of 5
December 3, 2024
These stations kept the students very engaged while allowing them to move around the room while I checked for understanding. Would recommend.
177 reviews
Grades taught: 7th
Rated 5 out of 5
August 10, 2023
Perfect resource to supplement our Geology unit.
Mikayla M.
118 reviews
Grades taught: 6th
Student populations: Autism, Learning difficulties
Rated 4 out of 5
June 28, 2023
I have used these as stations for students to work through the concept of relative dating.
172 reviews
Grades taught: 6th
Rated 5 out of 5
March 26, 2023
This was such a great way to add fun and differentiation into my classroom! Thank you!!
773 reviews
Grades taught: 8th
Student populations: Emerging bilinguals, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities
Rated 5 out of 5
February 24, 2023
A great resource for our geologic dating unit in Earth Science! The students were highly engaged in all activities!
Julie L.
111 reviews
Grades taught: 7th, 8th
Rated 5 out of 5
January 31, 2023
Excellent resource! My students enjoyed this a lot.
236 reviews
Grades taught: 9th
Rated 5 out of 5
January 29, 2023
I used this for Earth Science. My students loved it!
Amanda S.
10 reviews
Grades taught: 10th
Student populations: Autism

Questions & Answers

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Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).
NGSSMS-ESS1-4
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence from rock strata for how the geologic time scale is used to organize Earth’s 4.6-billion-year-old history. Emphasis is on how analyses of rock formations and the fossils they contain are used to establish relative ages of major events in Earth’s history. Examples of Earth’s major events could range from being very recent (such as the last Ice Age or the earliest fossils of homo sapiens) to very old (such as the formation of Earth or the earliest evidence of life). Examples can include the formation of mountain chains and ocean basins, the evolution or extinction of particular living organisms, or significant volcanic eruptions. Assessment does not include recalling the names of specific periods or epochs and events within them.
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