Fossil Time

Downloadable (1 PDF - 8 pages)

Ideal for grades 4-8 this interactive lesson will have students look at fossil formation and how scientists use fossils to make predictions about the earth's history. Students will complete a miniature research role, build fossils and act as paleontologist detectives.

This activity was designed to take three 60 minute classes. The eight page lesson plan includes instructions for teachers to aid in delivery of this activity, including background information and tips to differentiate and enrich learning.

After completing this interactive lesson, students will understand:

• Various fossil groupings and be able to associate fossils with a given geological era
• The various strata layers and the fossils found at each signify their time period of existence and specifically fossils found above others in the strata layers are newer
• Complex multi-cellular organisms are generally newer than simple single celled organisms

Additional resources included with the activity plan:

• Fossil slide deck

Additional resources required:

• Devices with internet access for each group
• Science notebooks
• Play-doh 
• Tooth picks
• Cupcake liners
• Plaster of paris
• Small cup
• Water
• Stir sticks
• Paper, pencils and pencil crayons
• Scissors
• Plastic sandwich bags