Howard Hughes Medical Institute
The Day the Mesozoic Died
While this is not the traditional, step-by-step lesson plan, it is chock-full of material that you can easily incorporate into your earth history unit. Its main purpose is to serve as a guide to using a three-part film, The Day the...
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When Dinosaurs Lived
In this dinosaur worksheet, students examine a time line of the periods in which certain dinosaurs lived and then answer 5 fill in the blank questions based on the timeline.
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Dinosaur Traces
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...
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Geological Time Scale
In this geological time worksheet, student use a geologic time scale to understand the difference between eons, eras, and periods. Then students complete 2 short answer questions.
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When Dinosaurs Ruled
Students research about plants and animals during Triassic period. In this earth science lesson, students draw pictures of their chosen plants and plants for the bulletin board. They present their project in class.
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The End of an Era
Students explore the American-Mongolian paleontology expedition of Cretaceous fossil beds at Ukhaa Tolgod in the Gobi Desert. They present information about the life forms, tectonics, climate and geology of this time.
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General Information on Accreted Terrane
Students use the Idaho Digital Atlas. They look at the map on the main page and determine where the coast of the Pacific Ocean was before the Jurassic time period and how the coast has moved from its previous position to its present...
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Climatic Changes
In this weather instructional activity, learners read an excerpt describing the climate and extinction. Then they explain what the climate was like during the Age of Dinosaurs. Students also determine some factors that affected the...
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Dinosaurs 1: Where Are the Dinosaurs?
Students explore dinosaurs and their extinction. In this dinosaur lesson, students view dinosaur websites and videos to gain an understanding of the world long ago. Discussion questions follow. Students create a paper mache dinosaur egg.
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The Magic School Bus in the Time of the Dinosaurs
Students draw names of dinosaurs out of a hat and write a report about the one they picked. Students write a riddle about their favorite prehistoric animal, post it on a bulletin board, and have other guess which animal it is about....
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Mesozoic Murals
Middle schoolers create a mural of one of the Mesozoic Periods. For this geologic timeline lesson, students will research the plants and animals that lived in the Mesozoic Era in order to create a mural to scale that represents one of...
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Earth's Rotation Changes and the Length of the Day
In this Earth's rotation and day length activity, students are given a table with the period of geological time, the age of the Earth and the total days per year. Students calculate the number of hours per day in each geological era,...
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Dinosaurs
In this earth science instructional activity, students match each vocabulary term, that names something specific related to earth science, with its correct description found in the right column. They identify different types of...
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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...
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Be a "Fossil Detective" an Effective Tool in Earth Science Education
Students examine the geological time scale: the Earth is ancient; time can be divided into periods based on its fossil content.
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What Killed the Dinosaurs?
Young scholars demonstrate how scientists use evidence to formulate hypotheses. They write an essay describing the Cretaceous and Paleocene time periods from the point of view of someone living in that time. In addition, they formulate...
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Tucson Children's Museum Dino Crossword
In this crossword puzzle, middle schoolers complete a crossword puzzle related to dinosaurs, the era in which dinosaurs lived, and about other animals that lived during that time period.
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World of Dinosaurs Game
In this science worksheet, students write each of the vocabulary terms that relate to earth science listed in the spaces of the bingo card provided. Then they use the clues at the bottom of the sheet to match to its correct science term...
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Salt of the Earth: A Caddo Industry in Arkansas
Middle schoolers explore the history of the Caddo Salt Industry found in Arkansas. Along with learning about how salt deposits formed in Arkansas, learners study the process of salt production and how valuable salt is as a natural...
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The Gopher Tortoise
Can you believe the gopher tortoise was around when the dinosaurs were walking the Earth. Learn all about this creature that is one of Florida's most popular reptiles. Hands-on-activities and a glossary full of scientific terms make this...
Biology Junction
Birds
Birds adapted to almost every climate on the planet, from the Arctic to the rain forests. A presentation focused on birds covers their similarities and differences. It starts with their evolution from reptiles, their many physical...
American Museum of Natural History
Fighting Dinos
A famous fossil of fighting dinosaurs holds as many questions as answers. Scholars first analyze the fossil itself by virtually highlighting the specific bones of the dinosaurs and read about their function and importance. They then test...
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Dinosaurs In Argentina
Students study the fossils in Argentina and why it is a good place to find them. In this dinosaurs lesson students learn about the recent dinosaur excavations.
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Toilet Paper Geologic Time Scale
Students examine and demonstrate the extent of geologic time compared to recent time. They develop a demonstration of geologic time using an unrolled roll of toilet paper, with each sheet of toilet paper representing 20 million years.