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Fossil Record Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Fossil Record educational resource ideas and activities
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Students explore how to read fossil range charts. They develop an knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the fossil record. Students become familiar with the concepts index fossil and fossil range. Students use bar graphs to plot fossil ranges. They develop an knowledge of 'relative time' using fossil range charts.
Engage young biologists with four laboratory activities that explore the fossil record. Learners examine fossil images, a fossil kit, the rock record, and geologic time scale. They even experiment with the oxygen production of an Elodea plant as an example of how the ancient atmosphere might have developed. Not only are activities provided, suggestions for comprehensive assessment questions are available as well. Use this resource as a complete mini-unit on evolutionary processes.
Students create mock fossil records based on current scientific theories about prehistory. By learning about what fossil records teach us about different prehistoric time periods, students gain a greater understanding of theories of prehistory in general.
The objective of this set of slides is to present four types of evidence for evolution: the fossil record, embryology, molecular biology, and comparative anatomy. Each facet of the argument is explored. This can be used in a high school biology course.
Middle schoolers ask questions about the nature of science as they experience a 'Fossil Hunt'. They reconstruct a book that has been literally destroyed, just as the fossil record has been changed by billions of years of geological processes.
Students create an evolutionary tree based on fossil morphology and their ages. In this fossil record lesson plan, students are given 23 pictures of fossil. They study their morphology and arrange the fossils by age and structures on a chart with time periods. Students tape the fossils in place and analyze their results to form a phylogenic tree.
Students compare the three theories used tp interpret fossil records. In this earth science lesson, students create a production of a televised debate. They collaborate with group members to generate relevant questions about the topic.
Take a close-up look at the evolution of hyenas in South Africa. Natural historians read about the five hyena species found in the fossil record and examine four statements that summarize the theory of evolution. As a culminating activity, pupils form groups and design a fact sheet about any modern member from the hyena family. This is an uncomplicated assignment to do with biology classes. You will appreciate the teacher's notes and grading rubric that are provided alongside.
Walk your junior biologists through the evidence that supports evolution. The fossil record, anatomical record, and molecular record are explained and supported by colorful graphs and pictures. Extensive notes are provided for some of the slides.
Summarize a unit on evolutionary evidence. Learners recount information about the fossil record, molecular record, homologous structures, convergent evolution. This worksheet provides plenty of room for students to write out responses, and it makes a succinct review of the topic.