EARTH SCIENCE

Name of Learner: Grade Level:

Section: Date:

Module 20
INDEX FOSSILS AS GUIDE IN DEFINING & IDENTIFYING THE SUBDIVISIONS
OF THE GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS

Many changes have occurred on Earth over millions of years. Earth’s landscape has
been subjected to processes of building and breaking down. Many organisms have come and
gone. Some have left traces in rock records. Scientists study Earth’s history in places like the
Grand Canyon. Where do you find evidence of the changes earth has undergone?
Geologists use many tools to try to unravel Earth’s history. They study Earth processes
that are occurring today, and then determine if and how these processes occurred in the past.
Geologists also study fossils to learn about ancient life forms. Unraveling Earth’s complex
history involves research in many fields of earth science.
I am glad that you are already finished with the different engaging activities of your
previous lesson about how relative and absolute dating were used to determine the subdivisions
of geologic time.
So I guess you are now ready to learn a new lesson about how index fossils or also
known as guide fossils are used to define and identify subdivisions of the geologic time scale.
Fasten your seatbelt and enjoy learning!

LEARNING COMPETENCY

✓ How index fossils or also known as guide fossils are used to define and
identify subdivisions of the geologic time scale (S11ES-Ii-38).

DIRECTIONS/INSTRUCTIONS

HOW TO USE THIS MATERIAL?

1. Read every part of the material very well. Use the suggested references or other
related references as guides in answering the activities.
2. Follow the instructions carefully. Ask the help or assistance of your parents or
siblings as much as possible.
3. There are three (3) learning activities in this material. Strictly follow what is/are
asked in every activity and accomplish the activity within the given timeline.
 4. In case the materials in the activity are not available in your place, you may
improvise or use related materials.
5. If you have good internet connection, you may use the digital version of this
material. Ask your subject teacher how.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1
FOSSIL MAKING

WHAT SHALL YOU LEARN FROM THE ACTIVITY

▪ define fossil;
▪ give the different types of fossil;
▪ describe the characteristics of an index fossil; and
▪ make a creative DIY fossil cast

READ

Paleontologists (pay lee ahn TAHL uh justs) study fossils. Fossils form when the hard
parts of an organism are rapidly covered by sediment. Organic remains are most often
preserved in marine sediments, in floodplain materials, or in lake deposits where prompt burial
were most likely. Occasionally, plants, soft-bodied animals, and animal tracks are preserved in
soft sand or mud (Hesser, D. & Leach, S., 1999)
There are six main types of fossils:
1.) Mold fossil – a full imprint of an animal.
2.) Preserved fossil – preserved in amber, tar or ice.
3.) Trace fossil – preserved evidence on the activities of deceased organisms (footprints,
burrows, nests etc.)
4.) Cast fossil – forms when a mold is filled in with sediments.
5.) Carbonized fossil – thin layer of carbon shows delicate parts of insects or plants.
6.) Petrified fossil – minerals replaced all or part of an organism.
In connection with the different types of fossils, we also have an index fossil or also
known as the guide fossil. By its definition, an index fossil are fossils that are wide spread but
only existed for a short period of time. Index fossils help scientists to find the relative age of a
rock layer and match it up with other layers. In addition, an index fossil is any animal or plant
preserved in the rock record of the Earth that is characteristic of a particular span of geologic
time or environment. A useful index fossil must be distinctive or easily recognizable, abundant,
and have a wide geographic distribution and a short range through time. Index fossilsare the basis
for defining boundaries in the geologic time scale and for the correlation of strata.
Here are the four characteristics of an index fossil:
1.) The fossils are easily recognizable.
2.) The fossils are abundant.
3.) The fossils are widespread in occurrence.
4.) The fossils occur only in a few rock layers because the organisms only existed for a
brief time period.

PROCEDURE

1.) Prepare the following materials:

▪ Clean tuna can or styrofoam bowl (this will serve as the molder)
▪ Plaster of Paris
▪ Clay
▪ Water
▪ Mixing bowl
▪ Objects like plastic animals, rocks and etc.
▪ Camera
▪ Paint brush (optional)
▪ Acrylic paint (optional)

2.) Start with a clean tuna can or styrofoam bowl and fill it to a depth of about half
inch with modeling clay. Then press a plastic animal, rock, or other object
halfway into the clay. Remove the object, leaving a clean imprint in the clay.

3.) Then mix ¼ cup plaster of paris with water until the consistency is similar to
pancake batter into a mixing bowl.

4.) Pour the plaster into the can over the clay, filling the imprint and covering the
bottom of the can.

5.) Let the plaster dry for at least 5-7minutes before removing it from the can.

6.) Separate any remaining clay from the plaster and you have already a ‘fossil’ of
the object. It’s up to you if you will paint your cast fossil to make it more
appealing and attractive.

7.) Take photos while doing the activity (before, during and after). Paste these
photos inside the box (question no.3).

8.) Attach the picture of your finished product in this LAS (Learning Activity
Sheets). Do not forget to review the rubrics for scoring for you to get the highest
score.

✓ Always keep your work area(s) tidy and clean.

✓ Prepare only the needed materials. Avoid unnecessary things in your work
area.
✓ Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after the activity.
 GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. What is a fossil? Give the different types of fossil. (Don’t copy different definition,
construct your own definition based from your understanding)

2. Complete the table below based from your prior reading about index fossil.

INDEX FOSSIL
DEFINITION
CHARACTERISTICS

3. Paste the picture of your own creative DIY fossil cast inside the box and give a short
description of your output. (You may insert the photos you took while doing the activity.)

Be creative in your photos. See to it that all your photos fit here.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
 HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECT THE QUALITY AND
QUANTITY OF SOIL

WHAT TO LEARN FROM THE ACTIVITY?

▪ Identify the human activities that affect the quality and quantity of soil.

LEARNING ACTIVITY 2
IDENTIFYING THE SUBDIVISIONS OF GEOLOGIC TIME SCALE USING INDEX
FOSSILS

WHAT TO LEARN FROM THE ACTIVITY?

▪ Recognize different examples of index fossils;

▪ Analyze and identify what specific period and era does the different
index fossils are being classified in the geologic time scale.

READ

Index fossils or also known as guide fossils are widely used to help find the relative age
of a rock layer.
Here are some common index fossils over geologic time:
▪ Gastropod, Trilobite, Crinoid, Coral, Fern, Ammonite and etc.

Figure 1. Some Common Index Fossils over Geologic Time

Source: https://clarkscience8.weebly.com/law-of-superposition--index-fossils.html
 PROCEDURE

1. In the first column there are different examples of index fossil.

2. In the second column arrange the jumbled letters and put it in the third column.

3. In the fourth column, give some salient features of that specific index fossil based on
the picture.

4. In the fifth and last column, identify its period and era in relation with the geologic time
scale.

INDEX FOSSIL JUMBLED ARRANGED SALIENT PERIOD ERA

LETTERS WORD FEATURES (1pt) (1pt)
(1pt) (1pt)
1.)

EECNPT

2.)

AEEINNR

3.)

OEUPTDSL
4.)

ACCCOTSUNIR

5.)

AUUHTBYSR

6.)

OOISNTM

7.)

AAOIEPRDXD
S

8.)

IOUCDLCYTSST
 9.)

EEAAIVNRCRDI

10.)

AEISTHPCS

GUIDE QUESTIONS

1. Which of the following index fossils above belongs to Paleozoic Era?

2. What is the importance of index fossils in the geologic time scale?

3. Why is it important to know the period and era of a specific index fossil?
 LEARNING ACTIVITY 3
WHICH FOSSIL IS THE BEST INDEX?

WHAT TO LEARN FROM THE ACTIVITY?

▪ Identify the best index fossil based on its characteristics.

READ

We know that when an organism dies their bodies become fossilized if they have hard
parts and they are deposited and buried quickly but not every fossil is an index fossil. To be an
index fossil there are two requirements to be met. First, the fossil of an organism should live
over a wide geographic area and secondly, it should only live for a short period of time.
Let’s try to consider the figure below. Which fossil can be the only one that we can call
as an index fossil?

Figure 2. Sample layers of fossils with different outcrops.

Considering these three outcrops which of the following is considered as the best index
fossil? If we are going to analyze the three outcrops, in outcrop I, II, and III, which of the
following fossilized organisms lived over a wide geographical area? So we can say that in
outcrop I we have bathyurus and it also appeared in out crop II and III. In addition, it livedfor
a short period of time. Since it has met these two requirements so we can say that this bathyurus
is the best index fossil.
 Figure 3. Identifying the best index fossil.
We have figured out that bathyurus is the best index fossil in these three outcrops.
Based from the previous activity we can conclude then that it belongs to Ordovician period
during the Paleozoic Era.

PROCEDURE
1.) Analyze the given figures below.

2.) Identify which of the following fossils is considered as the best index?

3.) Tell also your basis in choosing your answer or why did you consider it as the best
index fossil.

4.) Determine what specific period and era it was being classified.
Figure 4. Identifying the best index fossil.

(bathyurus) (billingsella) (perisphinctes)

(nerinea)

1.) What is your best index fossil? (1pt)

Answer:

2.) What is/are your basis in choosing that fossil to be the best index? (2pts.)
Answer:

What period and era it was being classified? (2pts.)

Answers:
Period:
Era:
 Figure 5. Identifying the best index fossil.

(trophites) (paradoxides) (billingsella) (unidentified)

1.) What is your best index fossil? (1 pt.)

Answer:

2.) What is/are your basis in choosing that fossil to be the best index? (2pts.)
Answer:

What period and era it was being classified? (2pts.)

Answers:
Period:
Era:
 RUBRICS FOR SCORING

Rubric in Fossil Making

5 4 Score 3 2
Criteria
Accurately and Fossil is poorly
neatly made. Fossil is relatively Fossil is not an made. It does not
Over-all Finished product is well made. It accurate resemble the actual
appearance an excellent resembles the representation and thing and shows that
representation of actual fossil but is is not very well little effort was put
the actual thing. not a perfect match. made. into its creation.
Content indicates
Content indicates Shows some
synthesis of ideas, Content indicates
Explanation of in depth analysis original thinking thinking and thinking and
the output/ and evidences and develops ideas reasoning applied reasoning but most
with original ideas are
Content original thought with sufficient and
thought on a few underdeveloped and
and support for the firm evidence.
topic. ideas. unoriginal.

The fossil output is The fossil output The fossil output is

The fossil output is
exceptionally is acceptably distractingly messy
attractive in terms
Attractiveness attractive in terms attractive though it or very poorly
of design and
of design and may be a bit designed. It is not
neatness.
neatness. messy. attractive

Rubric in Table Completion

4 3 2 1 0
Complete on Complete complete Somewhat Incomplete or
time Mostly complete late

At least 75% At least 65% At least 50% At least 25% Less than
correct correct correct correct 25% correct

Organized & Neat Mostly neat Somewhat neat Hard to

easy to understand
understand

Rubric in Guide Questions

4 3 2 1 0
Complete on time Complete Mostly complete Somewhat Incomplete or
complete late

Shows solid Shows Shows Shows some Lack of

understanding understanding understanding understanding connections or
using evidence using evidence evidence
Organized & Neat Mostly neat Somewhat neat Hard to
easy to understand
understand

REFLECTION Index fossils are used

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Using index fossils,the geological periods are ved=2ahUKEwjcw7
defined. These are interval of times that are rK_6_qAhUVfd4K
believed lasted for tensof millions of years, in Hbnx
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The geological periods are define
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using index fossils, and the index fossils are
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chosen so that the resulting geological periods
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occur in order.
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In this LAS (Learning Activity Sheet), center.homesc
learners experienced to think critically and be iencetools.co
creative in making their own fossil/artifact. m/article/how-
They were engaged to various activities that to-make-a-
will better enhance their skills. With the fossil-cast-
advent of technology, learners may also visit science-
offline and online resources for additional project/
information.
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Directions: Accomplish this part honestly.
o
r
4. I learned that
a

5. I enjoyed most on d

6. I want to learn more on d

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REFERENCES FOR LEARNERS
t
i
1. Cortez, Leah Amor S. & Sia, Shila
Rose D. (2016). Science in Today’s o
World Earthand Life Science. SIBS
Publishing House Inc. Quezon City. n
2. Hesser, Dale T. & Leach, Susan S. a
(1999). Focus on Earth Science.
Merill PublishingCompany, United l
States of America.
3. https://www.britannica.com/science/index-fossil r
4. https://www.google.com/search?q=c e
haracteristics+of+an+index+fossil&r
lz=1C1SQJ a
L_enPH887PH887&sxsrf=ALeKk03 d
ht4O8LGkLHrVuRBVte2W9rPHqQ: 15
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times
ing and trivia
you can visit the
following links:
https://www.yout
ube.com/watch?v
=TUYaE0IZYjc
https://www.yout
ube.com/watch?v
=1JEyNFlJBIw

16
Note: Practice Personal Hygiene Protocols at all times