Students may watch the documentary "How the Earth was Made" during class. After learning about the major events in the Earth's formation, students can work in groups to create a time-line of the Earth's creation. Students may use a poster-board to outline 5 to 10 significant events in chronological order. Each event should include a description of what the Earth looked like and what life forms were present at the time. Students can include pictures to enhance the information presented, including hand drawn illustrations. Display the time-lines around the classroom to serve as a resource for students.
There are many complex topics that 7th grade students will learn in relation to how the Earth was formed. Students will use the library and Internet to research how the Earth was formed. In order to synthesize this information, students will create a picture book to explain their findings to younger students. The book should include a description of major concepts in the Earth's formation -- including the Cambrian explosion, Pangaea and plate tectonics. The book should be illustrated with drawings that relate to the information discussed in the book.
A Venn Diagram will help students to comprehend the differences between the Earth at the beginning of its formation and the Earth as we know it today. Students will watch the documentary on the creation of the Earth and the teacher will lead a discussion on the characteristics of the Earth as we know it today, and how the Earth was through out the history of it's creation. Students will work together in groups to create a Venn diagram, which is two overlapping circles. On one side of the diagram, students will list the characteristics of the Earth when it was forming, and on the other side, students will list characteristics of the Earth now. In the middle will be characteristics that the Earth now and Earth forming share. This activity will help students to understand the major changes that have happened over time.
A jigsaw activity involves students becoming experts on a particular aspect of a topic and presenting their topic to other students. In this activity students will be assigned one of the following 10 topics: formation of the solar nebula, formation of a rocky planet circling the Sun
formation of the Moon, development of liquid water on the planet, appearance of anaerobic life, development of aerobic life, significant accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, first ice age, Cambrian Explosion or mass extinction of dinosaurs and other forms of life. The students will research their topic and create a presentation and visual aid to teach the other students in the class about their topic. This activity will help students to break down the complex topic of Earth formation and learn in a fun and interactive way.