This earth science lesson focuses on describing the evidence that all elements greater than Lithium were formed by nuclear fusion in stars. The lesson includes research-based strategies and strategic questions that prepare students for assessments. In this lesson, students read a scenario and identify important information. Then, they count the number of protons and neutrons to determine if the nuclear fusion reaction is correct. Finally, students write a statement to describe how the element was created by the stars. In addition to the lesson, there are four pages of Independent Practice and review modeled after current adaptive testing items.