The Geology Book, Lesson 5

Introduction

These lessons are geared for middle-school students. Each lesson contains a series of questions to answer that pertain to the reading assignment. There is a section of each lesson for advanced students. Teachers should start with the Scripture lesson.

It is important that teachers prepare themselves by reading the stated pages prior to having the student read the assignment. If a child is not able to read yet, parents may wish to read the text to the student.

Text

• Pages 36–41

Scripture

• Genesis 7, 8

Questions

1. Sand is made primarily of what mineral?
2. Write a paragraph describing how sedimentary rocks are formed.
3. What conditions are required to form a fossil?
4. Name four different types of fossils.
5. In you own words write a description of how dinosaur fossils are formed.

Terms

• Compaction
• Cementation
• Petrification
• Gastrolith
• Corprolite

Activities

NOTE: This week’s activities reinforce the fact that fossils and petrified wood can be made over a short period of time.

• Make a “fossil,” using plaster of paris. Mix the plaster of paris and pour it onto a paper plate. Gather different objects (leaves, toy dinosaurs, etc.), press each into the plaster of paris and then lift the object off. Include a print of your hand or foot. Let dry. Paint when dry, if desired.
• This is week 3 of the experiment started in Lesson 3. Has your mound decreased any? What caused this decrease?

Additional resources (for the more advanced student)

• Mt. St. Helens
• The Yellowstone petrified forests
• The Clock in the Rock
• Get Answers: Fossils