Sequencing Geological Events Presentation & Guided Notes

Get your students thinking like geologists with this engaging Sequencing Geological Events resource! Centered around the big question, “How do geologists use bedrock features and radioactive elements to determine the age of objects?”, this presentation and guided notes set will help students unlock the story of Earth’s past through key dating techniques and geological principles.

Why You’ll Love This Resource:

• Clear & Engaging Content – Breaks down essential vocabulary and concepts like superposition, cross-cutting relationships, unconformities, radioactive decay, and half-life in a student-friendly way.
• Real-World Application – Students will learn how geologists determine both relative and absolute ages of rocks and fossils—building critical thinking skills that connect to real scientific practices.
• Interactive & Low-Prep – Includes guided notes that promote active participation and retention, plus built-in opportunities for discussion and practice along the way.
• Flexible Lesson Structure – Designed for a 45-minute class period, but with 43 slides packed with content, it can easily be expanded into multiple class sessions to allow for deeper exploration and reinforcement.

What’s Included:

• 43-Slide Presentation – Visually engaging slides that cover everything from the Law of Superposition and radioactive decay to interpreting outcrops and geological sequences.
• 9-Page Guided Notes – Keeps students on track and reinforces learning as they follow along with key terms, diagrams, and examples.

This resource is perfect for helping students build a strong foundation in Earth Science and think critically about how scientists piece together Earth’s geologic history. Whether you’re introducing sequencing for the first time or reviewing before an assessment, this presentation makes a complex topic clear, accessible, and exciting!

Grade Levels: 8th – 12th
Total Pages: 52
Teaching Duration: 45 Minutes

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Jessica