Curated OER
Walking Whales
Eighth graders explore the theory of evolution of whales. For this walking whales lesson students study a reading packet, divide into groups and respond to given questions.
Curated OER
Excavating Your Recycling Bin as a Fossil Record
Students explore how scientists examine the past and use rock layers with fossils to understand the past. In this excavation activity students divide into groups and complete an activity.
Curated OER
The History of Life
In this history of life learning exercise, learners review 4 vocabulary words associated with the beginnings of life. Students place these terms into a crossword puzzle and then complete 2 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Super Scientists Code
In this science worksheet, middle schoolers use the key code on the right to unscramble each of the scientists. They also match each of the scientists found to their correct description.
Curated OER
World of Dinosaurs Game
In this science activity, students write each of the vocabulary terms that relate to earth science listed in the spaces of the bingo card provided. Then they use the clues at the bottom of the sheet to match to its correct science term...
Curated OER
Adopt-A-Dinosaur Project
In this science activity, students research a dinosaur of their choice. Then they create a picture page that includes a slogan that describes their dinosaur. Students also complete a fact sheet, including all of their resources used.
Curated OER
Earth Science--Letter "F"
In this earth science learning exercise, students locate and identify vocabulary terms related to earth science that begin with the letter "F." There are 24 words located in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Crystals & Fossils
For this earth science worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to crystals and fossils. There are 32 words located in the puzzle.
Curated OER
Glacier Puzzle
In this glacier worksheet, students identify and locate vocabulary terms related to glaciers. There are 17 words located in the word search.
Curated OER
Fossil Evidence
Students evaluate each other's fossil imprints and they try to identify the original object. They comprehend the importance of accuracy in identifying a fossil imprint. Students create an answer sheet that has space for the names of the...
Curated OER
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Students read and discuss the book about the butterfly and create their own butterflies using liquid watercolors and pipe cleaners. They then create a butterfly development book, included in the instructional activity, and color the...
Curated OER
What is a Fossil?
Students determine what a fossil is and distinguish between body fossils and trace fossils. They examine pictures of fossils and determine which represents a trace or body fossil.
Curated OER
Mold It
Students make molds of various items of their choosing using the Molt-It kit. They discuss the scientific value of making molds.
Curated OER
Can You Dig It?
Students investigate a fossil site and diagram a site map. They role play as paleontologists.
Curated OER
Dino Dung!
Pupils examine how there is more to poop than they think! After reading through material, they answer a series of questions on coprolite, and explore the diet and physical attributes of dinosaurs, as well as their environment.
Curated OER
LESSON PLANS (print version) pdf What is a Fossil?
Students can better explain how mould and cast fossils occur when they make their own cast fossils using plaster of Paris and objects such as shells, bone or even their own hand or footprint.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Fossils
Seven hands-on lessons module where students learn about fossils. These inquiry-based investigations explore how fossils form, properties of fossils, comparing fossils, how they show the age of the Earth, and what paleontologists do.
University of California
Ucmp: A Relative Dating Activity
An learning activity to help students grasp the concept of relative dating and geologic time.
University of California
Ucmp: What Killed the Dinosaurs?
This UC Berkeley site extensively covers the death of the dinosaurs. It includes history, theories, invalid hypotheses, and current arguments.
University of California
Ucmp: Getting Into the Fossil Record
A learning module where students tour the fossil record to learn what fossils are, how organisms become fossils, the factors that promote fossilization, how paleontologists find fossils, and why some organisms cannot be fossilized....
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Going Gobi: Hunting for Fossils
Travel through the Gobi Desert with two paleontologists, and discover ancient fossils of creatures from long ago.
Yale University
Yale Peabody Museum
This home page describes what the museum has to offer. Links to the exhibits and more information is provided at the bottom of the site.
University of Nebraska
Univ. Of Nebraska Museum: Preserving Vertebrate Fossils
This resource details the process by which vertebrate fossils should be excavated and preserved in order to conserve them for as long as possible. It also includes information about the role of amateur fossil collectors and museums.
University of Florida
Fmnh: Vertebrate Paleontology
Has a large group of vertebrate fossil pictures, a guide on preparing fossils, and much more.