8th Grade Integrated Science
Standard 3, Objective 3
Title: Index Fossils
Objective:
• Students will use index fossils to correlate and locate the correct strata.
Materials:
• Pencil
• Colored pencils
• Student worksheet
Background Knowledge:
• Index fossils are commonly fund, widely distributed fossils that are limited in time
span.
• They help in dating other fossils found in the same sedimentary layer. For example,
if you find a fossil from an unknown era near a fossil from a known time, you can
assume that the two species were from about the same time.
Procedure:
1.
Distribute the worksheet to the students.
2.
Their job is to find out which layers of rock are the same age.
3.
Then they need to order the rock layers from the oldest to the youngest. The oldest
layer has been numbers 1 for them.
4.
Remind them to use the index fossils to help them.
5.
Have them continue numbering the layers until they reach the youngest layer. Remind
them that the oldest rock layers are usually at the bottom.
INDEX FOSSILS
Name_______________________
Procedure:
1.
Decide which layers of rock are the same age.
2.
Order the rock layers from the oldest to the youngest. The oldest layer has been
numbered 1 for you. Write 2 on the next oldest layer. Write 2 whenever that layer appears.
3.
Use the index fossils to help you.
4.
Continue numbering the layers until you reach the youngest layer. (Hint: The oldest
rock layers are usually at the bottom.