How living things have changed over time
I can use fossil evidence to describe how living things have changed over time.
- Year 6
How living things have changed over time
I can use fossil evidence to describe how living things have changed over time.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The layers at the bottom of sedimentary rock are the oldest and the layers at the top are the newest
- By looking at different layers of rock, geologists can learn about what was happening on Earth at different times
- Where a fossil is found can tell us about which animals or plants lived in each time period in the history of our Earth
- Fossils of the simplest organisms are found in the oldest rocks, and more complex organisms in the newest rocks
- Models can be used to represent different layers of fossils in rock over time
Keywords
Sedimentary rock - Sedimentary rock is formed when sediment collects at the bottom of a lake or sea.
Geologist - A geologist is a scientist who studies what Earth is made of.
Evidence - Evidence is information which helps us to prove that something is true or not true.
Fossil - A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.
Model - A model is used to describe something that can't be experienced directly.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that all prehistoric living things were on Earth at the same time, rather than understanding that life on Earth changed over millions of years.
Use the models and information in the lesson to explain that the different layers of rock beneath our feet were formed at different times, and there are fossils of different living things buried within each.
Equipment
Range of craft materials for pupils to create models.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these pictures show layers?
Q2.Which of these are fossils?
Q3.Fossils can tell us about things that lived ...
Q4.Which of these statements about fossils are correct?
Q5.Rocks that are formed by layers of sediment building up over time are called rocks.
Q6.Starting with the first, order the steps in fossil formation.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The layers at the bottom of rock are the oldest and the layers at the top are the newest.
Q2.Why do scientists use models?
Q3.A scientist who studies rocks to learn about what was happening on Earth at different times is called a...
Q4.Which of these statements about fossils is correct?
Q5.In which layer of rock would geologists be likely to find fossils of animals with very complex structures such as sabre-toothed tigers?
