Earth’s History: Fossils, Rock Ages & Geologic Time Scale Unit | MS Earth Science

Click on this link to download a preview of Earth's History unit.

This unit is included in the Earth Science Curriculum 5E Model.

Teach fossils, rock ages, absolute and relative dating, core samples, and the geologic time scale with this comprehensive Earth’s History Unit designed for middle school Earth science.

This complete unit includes full lessons, notes, interactive notebooks, labs, quizzes, stations, task cards, and assessments—everything you need for a zero-prep, high-engagement study of Earth’s past.

Perfect for grades 6–8, this resource helps students master the formation of fossils, the law of superposition, index fossils, rock layers, geologic eras, and how scientists reconstruct Earth’s long history.

Aligned to NGSS Middle School Earth Science (MS-ESS1 & MS-ESS2) for Earth’s history, rock strata, and fossil evidence.

⭐ What’s Included

• PowerPoints for:
  • Fossils
  • Determining Ages of Rocks
  • Geologic Time Scale
  • Earth’s Eras
• Student Notes (print + digital)
• Interactive Notebook Activities (print + digital)
• Mini-quizzes + Digital Assessments
• Teacher Demo: Fossil Identification
• Guided Inquiry Lab: Core Samples
• Science Stations (STEM Challenge Included)
• Task Cards (print + digital)
• Study Guide
• Final Chapter Assessment
• 10-day pacing guide
• Answer keys included for all components

⭐ Key Concepts Covered

• Fossil formation & types of fossils
• Relative dating & the Law of Superposition
• Absolute dating & radiometric principles
• Index fossils & correlation
• Reading rock layers and core samples
• Geologic time scale structure
• Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic & Cenozoic eras
• Mass extinctions & major life events
• Interpreting Earth’s past from evidence

⭐ Why Teachers Love This Unit

• Clear, student-friendly explanations of difficult topics
• Hands-on labs make abstract concepts concrete
• Zero prep — everything you need to teach Earth’s history
• Excellent for NGSS-aligned instruction
• Flexible for print or digital classrooms
• Highly visual, interactive notebook–aligned resources

⭐ Ideal For

• Middle School Earth Science
• Fossils & rock layers units
• Geologic time scale and Earth’s eras
• NGSS MS-ESS1 & MS-ESS2
• Stations-based instruction
• Interactive notebook classrooms

⭐Pacing Guide – Earth’s History (10 Days)

Day 1: Teacher Demo – Fossil Identification; Section 1 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 2: Section 1 Mini-Quiz; Section 2 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 3: Section 2 Mini-Quiz; Guided Inquiry Lab – Core Samples
Day 4: Section 3 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 5: Section 3 Mini-Quiz; Section 4 PowerPoint/Notes/INB
Day 6: Section 4 Mini-Quiz; Science Stations
Day 7: Science Stations
Day 8: Creation Station Final Draft + Testing
Day 9: Task Cards + Study Guide
Day 10: Chapter Assessment

Copyright © NGS Magnified, LLC. All rights reserved by author Dr. Erica Colón.  All NGS Magnified curriculum is creative property of Erica Colón and cannot be resold or distributed.  This product is to be used by the original downloader 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). Clipart and elements found in this PDF are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY.