Curated OER
Dino Traces
Students are introduced to the type of evidence that is found at a typical dinosaur dig. They create rubbing casts of bone impressions on paper and, using bones, identify dinosaurs.
Curated OER
No bones About It -A Mosasaur
Learners model a paleontologist's activities. They identify dinosaur bones and reassemble them into a skeleton of an extinct reptile.
Curated OER
Footprint Detectives: Making Inferences Using Dinosaur Trackways
Young scholars analyze and discuss footprints and dinosaur tracks. They listen to books about paleontologists, create and analyze their own trackways using black paper and chalk, examine the data, and form hypotheses about footprints and...
Project SMART
Dinosaur Trek
Second graders investigate dinosaurs. They explore various websites, submit questions to a paleontologist online, construct cut and paste model dinosaur skeletons, develop a graph to compare dinosaurs, and label pictures from online...
American Museum of Natural History
Make Your Own Dino Stationary
Scholars follow five steps to create dinosaur-themed stationery using basic computer skills.
American Museum of Natural History
T. Rex Roar Mixer
Scholars predict the sound of a tyrannosaurus rex roar with a mixing board equipped with audio from crocodiles, chickens, loon, macaw, peccary, sea lion, and bison.
Curated OER
Earth Science Lesson Plans on Geologic Time
Springboard your fourth and fifth graders into the study geologic time. They will complete 7 activities to learn about geologic time and the topics most often associated with it: astronomy, creation, planet formation, volcanology,...
American Museum of Natural History
Pterosaurs: The Card Game
Piecing together the past is a challenging endeavor. Learners get a taste of that challenge as they play a game that incorporates several components such as trophic levels, geological time periods, and catastrophic events. Pairs work to...
American Museum of Natural History
Dress up a T. Rex
Scholars play with an image's color and brightness to predict how tyrannosaurus rex's skin, feathers, and eyes would have appeared. Information and real-world pictures shed light on what evidence guides our assumption of how a dinosaur...
California Academy of Science
What Kind of Geologist Am I?
Transform your class into young geologists as they learn about six different branches of geology. Using the included geology career descriptions and picture cards, learners work in small groups deciding which tools and locations fit...
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
The Dating Game
Learn about the human's ancestors through the (carbon) Dating Game. Use the script to have your high schoolers act out one round of the game. Once they have the idea, they will research another human ancestor and play a second round the...
Curated OER
Dinosaur Eggs Discovered! Unscrambling the Clues
Just a heads up: this lesson is based on a book, Dinosaur Eggs Discovered! Unscrambling the Clues. If you do not have or do not want to purchase the book, you may still find the other activities and worksheets useful in your earth...
Curated OER
Geologic Age
Students investigate radioactivity as a tool for measuring geologic time and how geologists use this information to determine the absolute age of rocks or minerals.
Curated OER
Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion
Students identify and describe rocks that contain records of the earth's history and explain how they were formed. They formulate questions about and identify needs and problems related to objects and events in the environment, and...
Curated OER
Using computers in the content area
Students practice grade appropriate computer basics and integrate them into the curriculum areas. in this technology lesson, students understand correct behaviors while using the computer. Students become familiar with the Internet and...
Curated OER
Interpreting Paleoenvironments With Microfossils
Students gain a better understanding of how scientists can use foraminifera to interpret past environments. Specifically, students have the opportunity to explain one of the basic tenets of geology - the present is the key to the past.
Curated OER
Branches of Science Lesson Plans
Teachers can use branches of science lesson plans to get students excited about science careers.
Curated OER
Extinction
Students peruse illustrations of living things and extinct life forms, which they compare and categorize as living or extinct.
Curated OER
History of the Earth
Students work together in groups to research the characteristics of the Mesozoic Era. Using various sources, they must include information about climate, landforms, plants and animals found during this time period. They create a...