Two Different Sets
For Multi-age Groups
Right – Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Nomenclature Cards
The Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards is one of Alison Montessori’s exclusive materials. Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon is a cross-disciplinary material that links the Timeline of Life to the study of rocks and fossils. It is believed that ancient mountains have given way to an inland ocean, which could have resulted in compressed layers of sedimentary rocks. Various fossils such as poriferans, echinoderms, and plants support this theory. Shifted tectonic plates as well as currents of water could be responsible for the carving and formation of the Grand Canyon along the vast plateau.
Our material, Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon, offers an opportunity for learners to connect geology to the history of the Earth. Our wooden puzzle allows children to concretely build and interact with each layer of the Grand Canyon. As children read about each layer, they can visualize, organize, and label the layers using wooden labels. The nomenclature cards contain a wealth of information about the name, the composition of the layers, the age, and what fossils have been found there. Learners can contrast the Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon material to the Timeline of Life to follow the course of the formation of the Grand Canyon.
Find below one way to present and utilize Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon, which is ideal for lower and upper elementary learners but can be used with primary learners as a primer.
Materials
- Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards (6-9)
- Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Puzzle with Nomenclature Cards (3-6)
- Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Puzzle
- Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon (Nomenclature Cards) (3-6)
- Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon (Nomenclature Cards) (6-9)
Related products: Sedimentary Rock Collection, Anatomy of a Tectonic Earthquake Puzzle, Timeline of Life.
sit on a 6mm wooden base
How to Use the Materials
We would first recommend that you present your learners with a map of the state of Arizona. Together you may observe the physical characteristics of the state and locate predominant features such as the Grand Canyon. You may also share real pictures of the Grand Canyon and its features (the red color is the result of oxidized iron minerals). You may explain that the Grand Canyon remains a mystery to scientists. It is still uncertain how sea life that is usually found at the bottom of the ocean floor has been raised 6,000 feet above sea!
After a short presentation, you may share the puzzle and invite children to count the layers, share observations, and ask questions. You may now choose to read the Rock Layers of the Grand Canyon Nomenclature Cards Booklet. Have children listen and place the wooden labels on the puzzle as you read about each layer.
Once you have explored all the layers, you may demonstrate again how to work with Nomenclature Cards. Place the control cards from top to bottom on a working space, and provide the description cards and labels to the children. They may match the labels and read the description cards, then match them to the control cards.
Finally, you may offer an extension work choice: color and label the Blackline Master (provided with the Nomenclature Cards set), complete the reproducible workbook, write about the Grand Canyon in their journal, research more information, create a model, contrast the information from the booklet to the Timeline of Life (dates, organisms).
We believe that this new exclusive material will create a bridge between the children’s knowledge of rock composition and formation, and the history of the Earth! The material includes several means to access the content to serve as many learners as possible while also providing means of self-assessment such as our “cloze tests” three-part cards (fill in the blank), reproducible workbook, and reproducible blackline master. For more innovative Montessori materials, check out our website at www.alisonsmontessori.com.
