This investigation box focuses on Paleontology,the study of fossils. This box includes three activities that involve finding, mapping, and classifying fossils. Information cards are included with activity cards as well as throughout the box to provide participating students with supporting background knowldege(ex: list of types of fossils for classifying activity) This box is designed to increase students interest in learning about the job of paleontologists, how fossils are formed, as well as thinking more critically about the subject of fossils all while having fun. Get going!
| 3-LS4-1. | Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago. |
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Materials included:
-Information cards and 3 activities(inside envelope marked with question mark)
-Information cards to read during or after activities are completed
-Smithsonian Sand Block in atupperware container
-wooden mallet
-wooden pick
-small paintbrush
-large paint brushes(set of 3)
-safety goggles
-"Fossils" in a tupperware container
-Excavation Map
-dry erase marker
*Read the fossil definition card
ACTIVITY ONE: EXCAVATE
Excavate: to expose or lay bare by or as if by digging
*Review the direction cards
*Read the Where/How Dinosaur Fossils are found information card
*Read the Paleontologist information card
Excavate the fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton out of the sand block. Act as if the sand block is your dig site and be very cautious in removing the bones, as a paleontologist would.
*Read the Tyrannosaurus Rex information card
ACTIVITY TWO: MAP IT!
After uncovering all parts of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, think back to where you found each part of the skeleton. Use the dry erase marker to document the exact location of each finding of each finding on the grid(excavation) map!
ACTIVITY THREE: FIND THAT FOSSIL!
*Read Types of Fossils information card
*Read Six ways Organisms can turn into Fossils card(on box)
Using the definitions given, determine the type of each fossil sample provided. Write it down on a piece of paper. Next, create your own type of fossil using salt dough and the help of your teacher. Now that you're finished, share what you've learned!
CONNECTING PALEONTOLOGY WITH LITERACY:(Books that Connect to Fossil Finds!)
1. This book by Allyson Kulavis includes facts about prehestoric life, giving children the more knowledge of fossils as well as well the Tyrannosaurus Rex and it's skeleton they will excavate from the sand block. It also includes a small handful of fossils for kids to examine and evaluate.
2. This book by Peter Larson reveals true stories about kids who have made paleo-discoveries and provides readers with the knowledge of how to collect, clean, and study fossil samples in order to develop and further their own interests. Examples from the fossil record and the laboratory help to answer the readers questions. Bones Rock! covers actual field and lab techniques, methods for developing scientific theories, information about summer dig programs, ways to incorporate fossils into classwork at school, and plans for a future in science. This book provides aspiring scientists with useful and educational research tools. This would would be perfect to read right before Activity One because it reminds participants to carefully dig up what they find, exactly how a Paleontologist would!
3. This book by Aliki reviews the many types of fossils that can be found. It also includes a guide so kids can create their own fossils for someone to find years from now. This connects to Activity Three where particpants need to classify the fossil samples given and the book will give readers information to help them classify more easily.
YOU ARE NOW AN OFFICIAL PALEONTOLOGIST. GREAT WORK!
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