GEOLOGY IN ACTION

USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE BACKGROUND TO FIELD LEARNING

Overview: In this introductory lesson, students will be introduced to some of

the geological formations that exist in Laurel Canyonjust across the street
from their campus. If you are integrating the Field Study component, they
will have the opportunity to hike to each of these formations themselves,
take notes and make sketches, and take photographs of rocks and
formations up close for their Geology Journals. The video resource Stories
in StoneGeology of Laurel Canyon is an integral part of this lesson; thus,
it is recommended that teachers review the video in advance in order to
deliver the information effectively. You may opt for the students to watch
the video themselves, in advance of the actual lesson, as a home
assignment. This lesson is designed for teaching while watching the video,
stopping to record information or discuss the formations in more detail.

Objectives: Students will be able to discuss the geological features of Laurel

Canyon, and explain what force or process created the feature; they will be
able to evaluate the type of rock(s) that makes up Laurel Canyon, and make
a hypothesis about which formation each feature is a part of.
Student learning outcomes: students will view geological features, listen to
experts and instructors, use visuals and diagrams to interpret information,
collaborate with others, record information, apply mathematics in
understanding geological time, and confirm comprehension of information
through questioning and critical thinking. If preparing for a Field Study trip,
students will also formulate questions to be analyzed in the field pertaining
to each of the features they will see on their hike.
Materials and Resources:
Stories in StoneGeology of Laurel Canyon.
(https://vimeo.com/42250408) Provided by the Laguna Canyon Foundation,
filmed by Jim Karnik Films. Hosted by Max Borella, Executive Director of the
Laguna Canyon Foundation, featuring Richard J. Behl, professor and
Department of Geological Sciences Director, Cal State Long Beach.
Student Geology Journals
Audio-Visual set-up including computer, and projector, (with audio.)
Lesson Plan (60-80 minutes)
Selected Lesson Vocabulary Terms and Concepts: geological feature,
geological force, sedimentary rock, Topanga formation, fossil, erosion,
offsetting.
Write these on the board for the students. Ask if they can give a definition
of any of these, based on their existing background knowledge. Fill in any
that they are able to provide, and complete the rest during the course of the
lesson, in context.
I. Before watching the video: (15-20 minutes)
Ask students: How many of you have been hiking across the street in Laurel
Canyon? And, Have you ever noticed anything special about the landforms
or rock formations there?
Allow some time for them to pair-share, or discuss at table groups. Record
their ideas for the whole class, for later discussion during the video. Some
things they may volunteer:
Its sandy
There are a lot of caves
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Its hot!
Various wildlife seen
Explain that Laurel Canyon has changed dramatically over millions of years,
it was actually underwater for much of that time!
Ask: What caused the canyon to be lifted up so far out of the water? What
causes it to look the way that it does today? (Plate tectonics,
earthquakes/fault movements, and water levels changing over time.)
What type of rocks do you think make up most of the canyon? Why is this?
(Sedimentary, because sediments were deposited over time, mostly at sealevel since gravity dragged the sediments down to the lowest point.)
Tell students that they are going to watch a video that will take them on a
virtual hike of the canyon, and will explain some of the important features
that exist there. Explain that they will be taking notes about each of the
features, and discussing what the geological force is behind the creation of
that feature.
Distribute the Geology Note Taking Guide to the students to add to their
Geology Folders, or have them create a similar outline/organizer in their
existing science journals.
During the Video: (30-40 minutes)
Pause the video regularly, following each of the feature explanations given
by the videos guides: 1. Sandstone landforms of the Topanga formation. 2.
Offsetting 3. Caves and Ghost Rock of the Topanga formation 4. Fossils 5.
Intrusive igneous dike that forms the Waterfall.
Allow students to record the following: (See Lesson Notes Teaching Guide for
complete answer details)
A)Name of the feature.
B)What is the geological force that created this feature?
C)Describe the feature:
D)Of which layer of the coastal formation is this feature a part?
E) Draw a brief sketch of the formation as you perceive it.
After the video: (15-20 minutes)
Have students meet in groups of 3-5 students. Have each group member
select 1-2 of the features to review for the group. Allow students enough
time for each group member to review their feature for the others, and for
all five features to be reviewed. Explain to students that they can add,
revise, or discuss information together if they have discrepancies or
questions amongst them. Assist as needed. Have each student individually
complete one of the following exit questions.
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Exit questions:
1)Compose three questions that someone who has watched this video
should be able to answer. (Answers will vary)
2)Discuss two pieces of evidence that Laurel Canyon was once a shallow sea,
and underwater. (Presence of sandstone and caves, presence of fossils.)
3) Discuss how erosion has played a part in the creation of the features you
viewed in the video. (water erosion created the caves, including Ghost Rock,
it has carried sediment downstream carrying fossils and other debris, erosion
created the meadow part-way through the hike, and erosion has exposed the
igneous intrusive dike that runs through the canyon--what we call the
waterfall today.)
For Field Study:
Think of three questions that you would like to explore for answers during
our Field Study hike in Laurel Canyon. (This activity can also function as the
Want to Know portion of a KWL chart, or be used to start a concept wall
that can be developed during the course of the unit and Field Study trips.)
Assessments:
This lesson serves to provide the factual information and background for
Field Study in Laurel Canyon.
Assessment may be based upon:
a) Notes and descriptions: complete, comprehensive, detailed.
b) Their ability to collaborate with others to: confirm comprehension, review
information for accuracy, and listen attentively to others.
c) Their ability to explain their understanding of concepts taught in the exit
questions.