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Fossils and Lithologic Units

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Practicing paleontologists map the geologic time scale, simulate the formation of sedimentary rock, and analyze fossil data. Instructions for four activities and five assessment choices are provided for the teacher. This comprehensive...
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Fossils!

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore what fossils are, how they are formed, what different types there are and why they are significant to both our present and past geology history. They participate in a hands on fossil observation of their choice and...
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Archeologists For a Day

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Learners listen to a reading about fossils and go on a hunt for items with fossil characteristics.  In this cross curricular fossil lesson, students will examine their fossil finds and create a graphic organizer.  Learners...
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"Fossil" of a Carbonized Plant

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students use leaves to make model of a carbonized plant and classify leaves by shape and margin type.
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Making Fossils

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine the differences between cast and mold fossils. They discuss geological time and how many fossils are millions of years old, then create a cast fossil using clay and a shell, and a mold fossil using a shell and...
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Faux Fossil Fun

For Teachers K - 8th
Elementary schoolers investigate how fossils are created by reproducing the process of creating an impression and filling it with a hardening material. The art lessons from this source are just fantastic! The lesson plan is well-written...
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Make a Solar Oven

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students build a solar oven. In this Science lesson, students construct a functional solar oven. Students design the oven and explain the energy concepts involved.
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Making Footprints

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
An interesting way of looking at footprints and tracks. Pupils step into a tray of water, and make footprints of various kinds on butcher paper. They tip toe, run, hop, and walk. Then, they take a close look at the differences between...
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Fossils and our Past (part 1 of 3)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate how some extinct organisms resemble organisms that are still alive today. They watch and discuss the Magic School Bus video about fossils, then create clay fossil imprints, matching the imprints to plaster of...
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Fossils Footprints Across Time

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students examine fossils to understand how they are formed and how they give information about geological history. In this fossil lesson, students research and write about fossils and make models of different fossil types.The PDF...
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The Fossil Hunt

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

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use fossils found in rocks to determine the age of the strata between Rock Island and Chicago. Pupils pretend they are geologists. They must determine the age of all rock layers between the Mississippi River and Lake...
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Fossil Formation Fun

For Teachers 4th
Students compare the three types of fossils: preserved organisms, mineral replacement fossils, and impression fossils. They create a model of amber, sponge fossil, and make traces of fossil.
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Reconstructing a Fossil Pterosaur

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Learners reconstruct the skeleton of the fossil Scaphognathus crassirostis. In this fossil lesson plan, students discuss the Kingdoms of life, geologic history and the history of the skeletons of species. Learners are given 20 minutes to...
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Fossil Fuel Sources, Usage and Alternatives: What are the Options?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students identify the different sources of fossil fuels. In this environmental science lesson, students research about how these impact our environment. They explore renewable energy sources that could replace fossil fuels.
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Fossil Fuel Sources, Usage and Alternatives: What Are the Options?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the relationship between energy and the environment. In groups, they participate in experiments to discover the law of thermodynamics and the differences between potential, kinetic and mechanical forms of energy. They...
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Studying Fossils: Hominoid Skull Comparison

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers collect data on the differences in Hominid skulls using acrylic casts of fossil skulls. They measure a series of structures on skulls from six different species then use the data to determine evolutionary relationships...
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Past and Present

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare fossilized specimens to contemporary specimens. They use a computer and a Proscope Digital USB Microscope to collect and compare images of ferns, sand dollars and sow bugs to those of similar fossilized samples.
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Fossil Formation

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students discuss fossils. In this science lesson, students simulate fossils within Earth's layers by using gummy fish and bread.
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Coffee Ground Dinosaur Fossil Prints

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students create fossils to understand how scientists learn about dinosaurs.  In this dinosaur lesson, students mix ingredients to make dough and put in objects that can make impressions. Students let fossil dry overnight....
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Science: Making Trace Fossils

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore types of fossils and discover how sediment affects fossil preservation. They focus their study on trace fossils and create their own using sediment, water, and a small organism such as a snail or lizard. Students...
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Candle-Wax Fossils: Casts, Molds, and Impressions

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine and define fossils. They create their own impressions and molds in clay and candle wax, making external and internal molds.
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What are the Different Kinds of Fossils?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine different types of fossils. In this fossil activity, students investigate the attributes of mold fossils, trace fossils, cast fossils, and true form fossils. Students create their own fossil samples.
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Determining the Age of Fossils

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concept of radioactive dating. In this radioactive dating lesson, students investigate how to determine the ages of fossils and rocks as they learn about half-life radioactive decay.

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