Overview

Overview: This unit is based on a series of lessons about fossils. What child today is not enamored with dinosaurs? But how do we know anything at all about the dinosaurs or other kinds of life that lived long ago? The answer is in fossils. This unit will engage the student in the study of fossils. It includes how they are formed, what different types of fossils there are, what we learn about the animals that once lived from a fossil, and who some of the famous fossil hunters (paleontologists) are and what they have found. It will incorporate technology for the use of Internet-based research and interactive activities, and hands-on lessons involving the students in making their own fossils. After finishing this unit, each student can call him/herself an amateur paleontologist!

Student Level: Grades 3-5

Major Goals and Instructional Objectives:

1. Students will become familiar with the vocabulary associated with fossils.

2. Students will learn the various ways fossils are formed.

3. Students will become familiar with the science of paleontology.

4. Students will learn what fossils can tell us about prehistoric life.

5. Students will learn to devise, plan, and conduct scientific experiments.

6. Students will learn about the contributions of famous paleontologists.

7. Students will use technology to enhance their research and assessment skills.

8. Students will learn to appreciate the life forms that existed on Earth before human life appeared.

Timeline: 6-8 classroom periods (about 45 minutes each)

Setting: Science classroom, homeroom, Museum of Natural History, New York Aquarium, and any outdoor mountain area to fossil hunt!

Assessments:

1. Student databases on:

a. Vocabulary

b. What do we learn from fossils?

c. Kinds of fossils

d. Research

e. Question database

2. Activities:

a. Fossil Hunt

b. Fossil Jigsaw puzzle

c. Fossil Description

d. Create a mold and cast fossil

e. Create a trace fossil

f. Compare a fossil with a living animal

g. Archeological games

h. Fossil Excavation

i. Virtual paleontologist

3. Games

a. Various fossil games at http://sdnhm.org/kids/dinosaur/index.html , http://sdnhm.org/kids/dinosaur/index.html , http://sdnhm.org/kids/dinosaur/index.html, http://abc.net.au/ozfossil/megafauna/game/default.htm (Pitfall Game),

4. Quizzes

a. Various quizzes found at http://abc.net.au/ozfossil/megafauna/game/default.htm, http://abc.net.au/ozfossil/megafauna/game/default.htm

5. Cooperative Reports

a. Research

b. Illustrations

c. Written material

d. Presentation

Standards:

1. Students will develop an understanding of objects and materials.

2. Students will develop an understanding of properties of Earth materials.

3. Students will develop an understanding of big ideas and unifying concepts.

4. Students will ask questions about natural phenomena, events, and discoveries.

5. Students will identify problems, propose and implement solutions, and evaluate the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.

6. Students will work individually and in teams to collect and share information ideas.

7. Students will use scientific notation for writing of experiments.

Books, Magazines, Videos:

For students:

Sea Monsters of Long Ago, by Millicent E. Selsam, illustrated by John Hamberger, Four Winds Press, New York, 1977

Strange Creatures That Really Lived, by Millicent Selsam, illustrated by Jennifer Dewey, Scholastic, Inc. New York, 1987

Before the Dinosaurs, by Miriam Schlein, illustrated by Michael Rothman, Scholastic, Inc. New York, 1996

Dinosaur Fun Facts, by Ellen Keller, Steck-Vaughn Co. 1997

Dinamation's Dinosaurs Alive! Photographs by Dinamation International Corporation, Scholastic, New York, 1992

Science Dictionary of Dinosaurs, by James Richardson, illustrated by Kaye Quinn, Troll, 2001

Discovering Prehistoric Animals, by Janet Craig, illustrated by James Watling, Troll Associates, New Jersey, 1990

Dinosaurs and More Dinosaurs, by Jean Craig, illustrated by George Solonevich, Scholastic, Inc. New York, 1982

Amazing World of Dinosaurs, by Judith Granger, illustrated by Pamela Baldwin Ford, Troll Associates, 1982

I Can Read About Prehistoric Animals, by David Eastman, illustrated by John D. Dawson, Troll Associates, New Jersey, 1997

Prehistoric Poop- How Scientists Learn About Prehistoric Life, Troll Associates

Fossils, by Louis Sabin, illustrated by R. Maccabe, Troll Assoicites, New Jersey, 1985

Discovering Fossils, by Wendy Rydell, illustrated by Ray Burns, Troll Associates, New Jersey, 1984

For teachers:

Lets Learn About Dinosaurs, by Joan Cesinger, Hayes School Publishing Co. Inc. Pennsylvania, 1987

Dynamic Dinosaurs, Teachers Curriculum Guide, by Janice K. Shera, illustrated by Susan Estes, Melody House Publishing Co., Oklahoma, 1985

The Big Fearon Book of Dinosaurs, by Diance Calvert Burkle, Cynthia Pol Muller, Linda J. Petuch, and scientific consultant Dr. Edward J. Petuch, Paleontologist, Fearon Teaching Aids, CAlifornia, 1989

The Moveable Museum: The Paleontology of Dinosaurs, Reacher's Resource Guide, the American Museum of Natural History, Dept. of Ed., New York

Web Sites:

http://enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaur/dinofossils

This website is an excellent site for students. All the questions taught in the unit can be answered at this site.

http://members.cox.net/jdmount/paleont.html

This site has links to other sites dealing with fossils and paleontology.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/conker/fossils/

This site is a page from Kids Ark. It is geared to a child's level and tells about fossils and how they can be hunted!

http://sdnhm.org/kids/fossils/

This site is a division of the San Diego Natural History Museum. Gives good information about fossils and where to find them.

http://cdli.ca/CITE/fossils.htm

This site is from a grade five Gander Academy class. Excellent site for students on their level.

http://abc.net.au/ozfossil/

This site has interactive videos for the students to see what prehistoric life looked like on an prehistoric Earth!

http://thinkquest.org/library/site_sum.html?tname=J002507&url=J002507

This is a ThinkQuest on fossils. Wonderful picture gallery of fossils made from all materials.

http://amnh.org/exhibitions/expeditions/treasure_fossil/Fossils/

This is the website of the American Museum of Natural History. It gives great examples of cladograms.

http://surfnetkids.com/fossils.htm

The Surfnet site with wonderful links to everything fossils!

http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=93

This Science Netlinks page has wonderful answers to the questions in the lessons and great resources for computer research.

http://brainpop.com/landing/?refer=/science/earthshistory/fossils

The BrainPop website which has an excellent video of fossilization.

http://acad.carleton.edu/curricular/BIOL/classes/bio302/Pages/

This site has excellent hands-on activities for teachers to use.

http://museum.vic.gov.au/dinosaurs/activ.html

This site offers fossil activities on age levels.

http://orchard.sbschools.net/library/tasks/5thgrade/science/earthspace/geology/fossils/activities.htm

This site has a fossil chart, and fossil evidence for Pangaea.

http://scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/games/teacher/dinosaurs/

This is the Magic School Bus site. It offers different fossil activities to make and do.

http://oum.ox.ac.uk/children/fossils/fossfun.htm

Wonderful site with activities to print for all age children.

http://usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/core/4th/4thSciber/fossils/html/fossils.htm

Great site- lots of animated pictures and great activities.

http://usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/core/4th/4thSciber/fossils/html/fosvideo.htm

This site offers links to great fossil videos.

http://www2.trafford.com/clientimages/Dinomike_StudyGuide.pdf

Wonderful activities, fossil hunt, chocolate chip cookie hunt!

http://discoveringfossils.co.uk/fossildictionary.htm

A site with fossil definitions.

Use the following links to navigate through FOSSILS!