History of Life Teacher Resources

A somewhat amusing assignment, this worksheet lists statements that an ancient organism may have made and asks learners to determine what geologic era that each may have lived in. It uses witty word puzzles and fill-in-the-blank-style...

The first life on Earth developed in the oceans. As an introduction to ecology, the video starts with the formation of the earth. It follows with the Archaean and Proterozoic Eons including protobionts, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes. It...

Dimetrodon is generally featured in children's books about dinosaurs even though it wasn't a reptile and lived in an earlier era than dinosaurs. The way life developed wasn't as smooth as many people think. The video focuses on the...

When did life start on Earth? An enchanting video introduces some of the earliest times in the history of our planet. From rocks that no longer exist to the development of oceans and plate tectonics, The resource details the first couple...

Take it all the way back! Young scientists discover the changes that took place from the time Earth became solid to present day through an interesting interactive. The resource guides users through key events that have shaped our world...

Scientists have confirmed that more than 30 species of non-avian dinosaurs had feathers. The evolution of life on the planet during the time of the dinosaurs fascinates most children at some point. Research often changes or updates what...

Scholars learn about the first endosymbiosis, which lead to the production of the first organelle, mitochondria that  are able to change shape, divide, reproduce, or grow larger, providing what is needed by a cell. The rest of the video...

In this history of life worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by figuring out the vocabulary words associated with the 11 clues given. Then students review how paleontologists use fossils to learn more about past living things...

Students explore the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. In this history of life lesson, students explain two ways the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the Big Bang are of direct benefits to humans.

Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...

Addressing the idea of intelligent design, as well as a number of creation myths, this presentation gives a measured and scientific perspective to the beginning of the world.  It includes a graphic on the Big Bang Theory, evolution, and...

In this history of life worksheet, students will explore how mass extinctions have occurred on Earth, the different periods of the geological time scale, and scientists' use of fossil records. Students will complete 3 fill in the blank...

In this history of life worksheet, students will use diagrams of the Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic Era to complete 4 fill in the blank statements.

In this history of life worksheet, students use diagrams showing how life may have begun on Earth to complete 3 short answer questions.

Isn't a domain already a set of values, a territory, part of a web address, and an area of magnetism? In the last video, the instructor walks learners through a history of life on Earth. Scholars then see the seven characteristics of all...

In this history of life worksheet, students review 4 vocabulary words associated with the beginnings of life. Students place these terms into a crossword puzzle and then complete 2 fill in the blank questions.

Studying ancient Greek culture, literature, and architecture is a great way to begin a unit on world cultures - or to start reading Antigone or other Greek dramas. Detailing the social aspects of ancient Greek life, this presentation...

How can primary sources bring history to life? Scholars create detailed lesson plans on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in American history. The 17th installment of a 22-part program exploring American history examines...

Journal writing can be a fun way to bring history to life. Upper graders read a series of journals from the time of the westward expansion, specifically the pioneer journey along the Oregon Trail. They compose an ongoing journal from the...

A set of lessons about the women's suffrage movement will bring history to life for your middle schoolers. Learners study primary documents, learn about famous suffragettes, and compare the suffrage movement to current events...

The painting Arcadia features a lovely landscape depicting aspects of ancient Greek life. Little ones use their imagination to put themselves in the painting. After analyzing the details and artistic elements of the painting, they write...

Bring history to life through literature. The first in a series of three challenge activities designed to accompany Theme 5: One Land, Many Trails does just that through unique projects connected to historical fiction and nonfiction...

Primary source analysis is a great way to bring history to life. Learners examine a series of personal inventories taken from Southern white males who died during the Civil War era. They analyze the documents to determine the social and...

Bring history to life for your young scholars with a Fourth of July lesson series. After a class reading of the Declaration of Independence, students translate this pivotal document into layman's terms before working in small groups to...