Fossils: Observing, Making and Learning

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In this activity, learners explore how casts of fossilized bones are created and used to learn about dinosaurs. Learners make observations, draw diagrams and share their findings. Learners also make clay molds to create plaster copies of real fossils. Then, learners consider how animals' and dinosaurs' body parts were used for protection, hunting, eating, etc. This activity is featured on pp.11-13 (part of a lesson that begins on p.7) of the "Dinosphere" unit of study for grades 3-5.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
4 to 24 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
Over $20 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 11
Resource Types:
Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Tooth resin cast -- T. rex
  • Claw resin cast -- T. rex
  • Skeleton diagram of Stan -- T. rex
  • Plaster
  • Cups of water
  • Bowls (for mixing)
  • Stir sticks
  • Modeling clay
  • Vegetable oil spray
  • Paper towels
  • Magnifying lenses
  • Centimeter rulers
  • Dino Diaries (pp. 111-114)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth's History
      • Archeology
      • Fossils
      • Dinosaurs
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Evolution
      • Mechanisms of Evolution
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Model Building

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 2004