School and Group Programs
Geology: Sample Day
We offer K-12 programs, including your choice of evening activities. This outline represents common activities. Students' actual days may include different activities.
Theme of the Day
The only constant in the universe is change
Objectives
By the end of the day, students should be able to understand, describe and identify:
- Layers of the earth
- Effects of convection forces on plate tectonic movement
- Four types of plate movement
- Process of granite formation
- Fault-block mountain formation
- Glaciers and their effect on Yosemite landscape
- Evidence of glaciers, including moraines, erratics and polish
- Forces that formed Yosemite Valley
Assessment Strategies
The theme is introduced first thing in the morning. Student understanding of the theme and specific concepts is assessed throughout the day. Each activity requires student participation and articulation of key ideas. Late afternoon, students collectively piece together the formation of Yosemite Valley through time. During this activity, educators assess learning and correct misinformation.
Teaching Day Itinerary
Morning activities:
- Geology each one teach one
With guidance students teach each other geology concepts including: layers of the earth, types and causes of plate movement, granite formation, glacier formation/movement and fault-block mountain formation. - Break it down
Students make observations relating to the process of erosion and brainstorm causes of granite decomposition, deposition and transportation. - Rock fall drill
Students practice taking shelter from rock fall and discuss its various causes.
Afternoon activities:
- Journal time and sharing
Students write a descriptive letter, addressed to themselves, telling the story of a rock in the area. This imaginative activity demonstrates student comprehension of geology concepts. Afterwards, students may share selections from their writings. - Glacier shuffle
Students drag their feet across the ground, imitating glaciers - creating moraines, depositing erratics and shaping Yosemite Valley. Valley formation
Students arrange images sequencing the stages of valley formation. In so doing, students also restate the geologic processes involved in the formation of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley.
