Students identify and interpret the type of evidence found at a typical dinosaur dig and mimic a paleontologist by taking crayon rubbings of simulated bone impressions. After the rubbings are taken, the students reconstruct the complete...

Students work in teams in this Webquest, to conduct research on selected Web sites and then report their findings. In this Evolution WebQuest, specialists (students) gather evidence from the fields of paleontology, anatomy and...

Students compare and contrast key skeletal differences between chimpanzees and humans: brain size, teeth, hand and thumb, trunk, pelvis, lower limb, foot and big toe. They then sort and group a set of mixed "fossil bones" of chimpanzee...

Students think critically to determine fact or inference when examining sedimentary layers with embedded fossils. They are being introduced to geology as well as evolutionary biology.

Students complete a unit on fossils, dinosaurs, and paleontology. They explore various websites, identify and classify different dinosaurs, describe the "Dinosaur Egg Project" and the technology being used, and compare/contrast two...

Young scholars complete a unit on dinosaurs. They explore various websites, create a dinosaur skeleton using pasta, construct a dinosaur diorama, write an essay, create a book about dinosaurs, and list and summarize theories about...

Students dig for and discover fossils in a classroom setting. They dig on a tarp to find, map, assemble, and photograph their discoveries.

Students study the professional field of paleontology. They practice using digging and observation techniques that are used by paleontologists. Then they experiment with measurement techniques and concepts.

Students acquire a general knowledge of fossils and paleontology, the study of evidence of life in the past and identify the major invertebrate groups (phyla) commonly found in the fossil record.

High schoolers go on an imaginary fossil hunt. They follow a script read by the teacher, students "find" (remove from envelope) paper "fossils" of some unknown creature. They attempt to reconstruct fossil pieces into an animal.

Students use a website to research and summarize findings on the earliest mammoth found east of the Mississippi River. They write a paragraph, make an outline and join key words into meaningful sentences to summarize their research.

If you are staging an archaeology or paleontology simulation, here is a checklist that you can post for your diggers. It lists reminders for how to prepare for the dig, as well as reminders for wrapping up. 

Students discuss the work of a paleontologist and examine several fossils and books on paleontology. They use clay and Plaster of Paris to create a cast of an object and compare this activity to the formation of fossils in nature.

Students research archaeology. In this archaeology lesson, students conduct research about archaeology and one ancient culture. Students write a magazine article about an archaeological dig.

Students study the terms paleontology and archaeology and examine how they can help us learn about prehistoric Native Iowans.  In this archaeology lesson students discuss these terms and view a video on Native Americans. 

Sixth graders examine the function of animal structures. In this paleontology lesson, 6th graders identify how animals move. Students will look at  individual animal structures and then determine their functions. Students will make...

In this paleontology lesson, 2nd graders discover the tools paleontologist use and how they use them to uncover fossils. Students also create their own fossils, read Digging up Dinosaurs, and deepen their understanding through a class...

In this paleontology worksheet, students use newspaper, fossils, a ruler, and more to discover what is inside a fossil. Students then answer 4 questions about their activity.

Students research fossils to learn about dinosaurs and the time frame of the age. In this fossils lesson, students study pictures of paleontologists at work. Students study fossils and discuss them. Students create fossils from clay and...

In this dinosaur worksheet, students read about the debate concerning the evidence for dinosaurs with poisonous saliva. Then students complete 4 short answer questions.

In this paleontology activity worksheet, students use the 15 words in the word bank to locate and identify them in the word search puzzle.

In this fossils worksheet, students compare characteristics of fossils with living organisms currently found on the earth. This worksheet is a graphic organizer.

In this paleontology matching worksheet, students match clues related to dinosaurs to scrambled words. Twelve words and clues are given.

Students review, create, and inquire about dinosaurs, the fossilization process, and paleontology by successfully completing each of six classroom stations.