Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Back to the Past

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students label fossil imprints. In this Geology lesson, students view fossil imprints of several items. Students explain what a fossil is.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaur! Fossil Rush: Tale of a Bone

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore 1870s when a "bone rush" led to amazing discoveries, as fossil-hunters risked life and limb in their quest for dinosaur remains. The class uses the attached visual encyclopedia to prep for a discussion on early paleontology. Two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explain what a fossil is, learn six dinosaurs and tell one characteristic about each, then describe verbally what a dinosaur might have looked like.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prehistoric Mesosaurus

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers draw conclusions why Mesosaurus has only been found in Africa and Brazil and how its fossil remains serve as important evidence that shows where two continents were once joined together.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Sources

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore a variety of sources and types of energy. The difference between energy for a person and energy for an automobile are examined. Efficiency and care for the environment are included in this experience.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fossils

For Students 7th - 9th
In this earth science worksheet, learners use the clues given at the bottom of the sheet to solve the crossword puzzle on fossils. They identify specific names of fossils and how to make a mold of one.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fossil Evidence for Evolution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how scientists use fossil evidence to trace evolution of various species and methods used to date fossils.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SORTING ALL SORTS

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Learners examine how the method of classification is used. In this sorting instructional activity students take a pre-test, classify organisms and complete a crossword puzzle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Lesson Plans

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Learners gain understanding of how a fossil is formed and why they are so important.  In this fossil lesson students create their own fossils.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil History

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine the similarities and differences between living organisms and fossils.  In this fossil lesson students reenact the process of creating a fossil.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Biology: Organization In Living Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the recent research on dinosaurs.  In this dinosaur lesson plan students write a report on the new findings and how it has changed ideas on dinosaurs. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs In Argentina

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the fossils in Argentina and why it is a good place to find them.  In this dinosaurs instructional activity students learn about the recent dinosaur excavations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Dinosaurs

For Teachers K - 5th
Students discuss theories about dinosaurs. In this dinosaurs and fossils lesson, students explore different scientific theories regarding dinosaurs and fossils. Students  then come up with their own theories about why dinosaurs went...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mud Fossils

For Teachers K - 4th
Students observe real fossils. In this science lesson, students make their own mud fossils by pressing material into the mud and letting it dry in the sun for 3-4 days. Students then get the fossils out displaying their mud...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heads Up!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students investigate fossils through reading Digging Up Dinosaurs and the study of a scale triceratops head.  In this dinosaur fossil lesson, students students each draw a portion of a picture of a dinosaur head.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves: Living Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore relict species. In this anchialine cave lesson, students identify relict species associated with anchialine caves, and explain the importance of preserving anchialine caves and species.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossils Lesson 4 - Who Are Some Famous Fossil Hunters and What Are Their Finds?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners research and develop a presentation about a famous fossil hunter/archaeologist. In this fossil hunter/archaeologist instructional activity, students listen to a reading of Don Brown's, Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Dinosaurs Ruled The World

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students discover how a paleontologist digs up fossils and what tools they use.  In this paleontology lesson, students discuss the importance of the job of a paleontologist, watch a video on the process of extracting fossils, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Study of Fossils

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders dig for fossils. In this fossil lesson, 5th graders read about the oldest found fossils and discuss the process of fossilization. They dig for their own fossils in a fossil box made of several dirt layers. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 1 - What Are Fossils?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students define and research fossils. In this fossil lesson, students access teacher assigned Internet sites to examine images of fossils. They determine the definition of a fossil and find out how fossils are formed. They also define a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identifying Fossils

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create model fossils.  In this fossils lesson, students view pictures of fossils and compare and contrast these fossils.  Students read about fossils and create a database chart with the facts they learn. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Crinoids: Flowers f the Iowa Seas

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study the rocks and fossils associated with the geologic landscape of Iowa. In this rocks and fossils activity, students examine fossils that would be found in the Iowa landscape that show evidence of marine invertebrates such...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

We Can Dig It!

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Third graders understand the process by which fossils and rocks are excavated. In this fossil and rock lesson, 3rd graders explore the job of the paleontologist in a podcast.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fossil Hunt

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students recall prior knowledge of the process of fossilization. In this fossils lesson plan, students first create and at a later date, recover fossils. Students understand the painstaking process of recovering a fossil. Students...