How can you tell they’ve got it: Mass Extinctions in Earth History?

If they’ve got it, you’ll see things like: Names all five major mass extinctions in chronological order with approximate dates; Describes the End-Permian extinction as the most severe and links it to the Siberian Traps volcanic eruption and its atmospheric consequences; Explains how each mass extinction was followed by an adaptive radiation — e.g. the K-Pg extinction removing non-avian dinosaurs allowed mammals to diversify and eventually produce humans. Or just try it together: Can your child explain that the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was actually the fifth mass extinction in Earth history — and describe what happened in the worst one, which killed over 90% of all species?

Science Dinosaurs & Paleontology Ages 12–14

Mass Extinctions in Earth History

Your child knows the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs was the fifth mass extinction. The worst one, long before, wiped out more than nine in ten of all species.

In curriculum terms

Compare the five major mass extinction events in Earth history (End-Ordovician, Late Devonian, End-Permian, End-Triassic, K-Pg), describe proposed kill mechanisms for each (glaciation, oceanic anoxia, volcanic mega-eruptions, asteroid impact), and explain why mass extinctions, while catastrophic, also open ecological space for subsequent evolutionary radiations

Ages are typical, not deadlines — follow your child’s pace. How to help at home →

How to tell they’ve got it

Tick these off as you see them — no test required.

Names all five major mass extinctions in chronological order with approximate dates
Describes the End-Permian extinction as the most severe and links it to the Siberian Traps volcanic eruption and its atmospheric consequences
Explains how each mass extinction was followed by an adaptive radiation — e.g. the K-Pg extinction removing non-avian dinosaurs allowed mammals to diversify and eventually produce humans

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Try this together

Can your child explain that the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs was actually the fifth mass extinction in Earth history — and describe what happened in the worst one, which killed over 90% of all species?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

The K-Pg Extinction Eventages 9–11Advanced K-Pg extinction analysis depends on basic K-Pg boundary and Chicxulub impact knowledge

Extinction & Rapid Changeages 12–14Advanced K-Pg analysis connects with KS3 extinction and natural selection concepts

Mass Extinctions in Earth Historythis skill · ages 12–14

Unlocks

Megafauna Extinction & De-Extinctionages 13–14Advanced mass extinction mechanisms analysis depends on understanding the K-Pg extinction event

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Where this fits in the official school curriculum — our best automated guess, not yet checked by a person.

This skill sits beyond Year 6 in the Australian Curriculum, so no F–6 code is matched. It also sits beyond the NSW K–6 syllabuses. It also sits beyond Level 6 in the Victorian Curriculum.

Nearby on the map

Reconstructing Ancient Ecosystemsages 12–14 Dinosaur-to-Bird Transitionages 11–13 Megafauna Extinction & De-Extinctionages 13–14 Radiometric Datingages 11–13

All Dinosaurs & Paleontology skills →