5.4.4.B.1.d Page 1 of 3 Sample Lesson Plan for Science Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Goal: The student will develop earth systems science skills in the area of history of earth. CPI: Use data gathered from observations of fossils to argue whether a given fossil is terrestrial or marine in origin. 5.4.4.B.1 ACSSSD Objective: Demonstrate the ability to identify characteristics of fossils. 5.4.4.B.1.d Activity: Students will investigate and discuss various characteristics of fossils. Students will add to current knowledge about fossils, in particular, types of fossils (marine or terrestrial) and how they are formed, and the various characteristics of each. Teacher and students will describe and/or recognize how different fossil types are formed. Students will make their own "fossils" based on what they learned today and yesterday (when we discussed what kinds of living things make good fossils). Students will tell other people the story their fossil tells. Modifications Materials Assessment Cross Content Areas 1. Students will read “Fossils 1. “Fossils Tell of Long Ago” 1. Rubric Language Arts Tell of Long Ago” with verbal by Aliki Homemade fossil Visual and Performing Arts assistance from the staff. After Checklist Technology reading, allow time for Pictures of fossils discussion and questions. Homemade clay Focus the discussion on a Oven variety of both terrestrial and Smartboard marine fossils. Using the Computer Smartboard, point out the Teacher created checklist specific characteristics that determine which category the fossils fall into (terrestrial or marine). Finally, split the class into two sections and have one group make terrestrial fossils, and have the second group 5.4.4.B.1.d Page 2 of 3 make marine fossils, using homemade clay. After the fossils have been baked, put them on display for the class to discuss. Students will complete a checklist to identify the defining characteristics of the fossils. 2. Read “Fossils Tell of Long Ago” to the class. Lead a discussion about fossils, mentioning that some lived in land and others lived in water. Using the Smartboard, show pictures of both types of fossils, and encourage students to discover what is different about them. Students will complete a T-chart on the Smartboard, and categorize 8 fossil pictures as either marine or terrestrial. Finally, students will make one type of fossil. After the fossils have been baked, put them on display for the class to discuss. Students will complete a checklist with picture symbols to identify the defining characteristics of the fossils. 2. Materials listed above Pictures of fossils T-chart Picture symbol checklist 2. Rubric Homemade fossil Picture symbol checklist 5.4.4.B.1.d 3. Read the big book version of “Fossils Tell of Long Ago” to the class. Using the Smartboard, show the students pictures of fossils of animals that lived in the sea and fossils of animals that lived on land. The staff, using physical prompting, will help students to create fossils using homemade clay. After the fossils have been baked, put them on display. The teacher will point to and describe the main characteristics of the fossil while using picture symbols to reinforce the material. Students will match picture symbols of fossil characteristics to the correct fossil. Page 3 of 3 3. “Fossils Tell of Long Ago” by Aliki (Big Book Version) Homemade clay Oven Smartboard Computer Pictures of fossils Pictures of fossil characteristics 3. Rubric Homemade fossil