WHAT IS GEOLOGY?
Begin this unit by reviewing the definition of geology so that students are aware that it is the scientific study of the Earth and earth processes. To assess their basic knowledge of geology, describe the geological cycle which consists of the processes of uplift, erosion, and deposition. Ask students to brainstorm where they could find examples of these three processes in their community.

HOW OLD IS THE EARTH?
Ask students to brainstorm how old the Earth is. Write their guesses on the chalkboard, and use them to assess the students' range of knowledge and to set the stage for showing the video. Teachers might give a brief overview of the geologic eras and epochs so students realize when the last ice age occurred and what kinds of life were present on earth at that time (no humans!). (An interesting extension of this lesson might be to invite students to ask their parents and neighbors how old they think the Earth is and then "teach" the adults.) Some geologists argue that the Great Ice Age is not over yet. If all of Earth's history were compressed into one year, with Earth forming at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, the Great Ice Age only began at 7 p.m. on December 31 … and today we are still part of December 31. The bottom line is that the Earth is still changing. Warning: the next ice age is predicted for 70,000 years from now!

EROSION AND FLOODS
Review the definition and causes of erosion. Find examples of erosion at home or at school. Look for places where water collects after a hard rainstorm. Note how the presence of the water both does and does not impact the soil and plants nearby. Talk to adults about how they prevent erosion by using landscaping, composting, changing the slope of a hill, adding plants, adding plastic netting, etc. Ask how they protect their property from erosion.

SHOW AND TELL GLOSSARY
To help students prepare for the geology vocabulary words that are included in the video "Ice Age Flood," assign each student one of the words in the glossary. Ask them to SHOW and TELL what their geology word means by creating a large poster explaining in words and also showing in a drawing or sketch what their term means. Have the students share these posters with the class. When the vocabulary terms come up during the video, you might wish to stop the video to refer students to the appropriate poster to remind them of the definition, and invite the student who prepared the poster to personally help explain his or her word.

FREE-WRITING/FREE-DISCUSSION PREPARATION FOR "ICE AGE FLOOD"
To assess students' knowledge about Ice Age geology, ask them to answer the following questions in writing or through class discussion. Clarify terminology as the need arises.

· How long ago did the Ice Age occur?

· Where do you think the Lake Missoula flood started? Where do you think it flowed?

· What kind of geologic evidence do you think an ice age flood would leave behind?

· How do you think a flood that occurred in the past might affect your life today?