Mississippi Science ESS.2B.1

ScienceGrades 9–12Earth and Space Science

The Standard

ESS.2B: Students will develop an understanding of the history and evolution of the earth.

Research, analyze, and evaluate the contributions of William Smith, James Hutton, Nicolaus Steno, Charles Lyell, and others to physical geology.

2026 Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Science · Earth Structure and History

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students research how Steno, Smith, Hutton, and Lyell used rock evidence to explain Earth's history. They compare what each person found and judge how those ideas changed geology.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can connect Steno to the order of rock layers and Smith to matching layers by fossils. They can explain how Hutton used rock evidence to argue for a long Earth history, and how Lyell built and spread that view with published examples.
Common Misconceptions: Students may credit Lyell with first proposing deep time, overlooking Hutton's earlier work. They may think Smith's fossils gave exact dates, rather than helping geologists match and order layers. They may also apply Steno's layer order to rocks that have been overturned.
How to Assess It: On an exit ticket, ask students to name one contribution from each scientist. Then ask: Which two would best help you match rock layers at distant sites, and why?

Lesson moves

Build two stacks of colored paper layers with matching fossil cutouts, then use Steno's and Smith's methods to order and match them.
Read brief Hutton and Lyell source cards, then write how Hutton's rock evidence differs from the examples Lyell published.
Match four scientist cards to evidence and claim cards, explaining each match before keeping the set.
Study a road-cut photo, mark the oldest undisturbed layer, and explain how a matching fossil could help map that layer nearby.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to ESS.2B.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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