Name ______________________________________________ Date ____________________
Activity: Exploring Fossils
Goals:
1.
To observe a variety of fossil types.
2.
To explain how various types of fossils that can be formed.
Background Information: A fossil is the remains or evidence of a living thing. A fossil can be a bone of an organism or the print of a shell in a rock. A fossil can even be a burrow or tunnel left by an ancient worm. The most common fossils are bones, shells, pollen grains, and seeds. Fossils give scientists who study prehistoric forms of life, clues about the past. (This information was taken from the Prentice Hall text Evolution: Changes over Time.
)
Materials: various types of fossils with labels, books about fossils, a video about fossils on unitedstreaming, an Internet site about fossils, concept map, paper cups or Styrofoam plates,
Plaster of Paris mixture, various object to act like fossil or actual fossils, petroleum jelly, spoons, index cards
Procedure: Rotate through the various stations and complete the indicated activity described for each station.
1.
Station 1: Fossil Specimens
Observe the different fossils at this station. Create a detailed drawing of any two fossil specimens at this table and label them.
2.
Station 2: Video Clip
Watch the video segment from on www.unitedstreaming.com
titled: Fossils:
Windows in the Past (Segment: The Types of Fossils and How they are Formed) and answer the following questions: You may access this video clip from my webpage by using the passcode: 6547-ACE9. a.
Why do the hard parts, rather than the soft parts of organisms usually form fossils? b.
When do the soft parts of fossils sometimes become fossils?

c.
Describe how fossils form in amber.
3.
Station 3: Fossil Specimens
Observe the different fossils at this station. Create a detailed drawing of any two fossil specimens at this table and label them.
4.
Station 4: Books
Look through the books about fossils at your table. Write a paragraph (at least 3 sentences) explaining something new you learned from reading the books. Include the name of the book that provided you with the information.
Title of Book: _____________________________ Author:________________
5.
Station 5: Fossil Specimens
Observe the different fossils at this station. Create a detailed drawing of any two
fossil specimens at this table and label them.

6.
Station 6: Website
Use the student computers to visit http://www.amnh.org/ology/paleontology#it the Ology site sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Go to: http://www.amnh.org/ology/paleontology# . Scroll down and select the tab, What’s the
Big Idea about Paleontology?
Read the background information on fossils. Answer the following questions:
1.
What is paleontology?
2.
What are fossils? Give some examples.
3.
What do fossils tell us? What do they not tell us?
4.
Why are fossils rare?
7.
Station 7: Concept Map
Read pages 13 -17 in the text, Evolution: Change over Time and complete the concept map below.
Preservation of entire organism imprint amber
Word Bank: petrified cast mold freezing tar pits trace

8 : Station 8: Modeling a Mold and Cast Fossil
1: Working with a partner, select an object from those provided to create a fossil.
2: Cover the object with petroleum jelly.
3: Press the object firmly into the clay and then remove object (the impression should
be ~1 inch deep).
4: Pour the Plaster of Paris mixture into object’s impression.
5: Place your project onto an index card with your name written on the bottom corner.
6: Set aside to dry.
7 .Observe the completed cast and mold samples at your station.
8. Answer the following questions after completing making your fossil: a: Which part of your model represents a mold? Which apart of you model represents a
cast? b. What are the similarities and differences between casts and molds. c: Illustrate and caption how a mold and cast fossil is formed. Refer to page 152 in your
text book..
Caption : An organism dies and Caption: Caption: becomes buried by sediment.

Teacher’s Instructions for How to Make Easy Fossil Molds for Kids
Materials:

Paper cups or Styrofoam plates

Clay

Plaster of Paris

Various object to act like fossil or actual fossils

Petroleum jelly

Spoons or Q-tip

Index cards
1: Mix plaster of Paris with water, keeping a slightly solid consistency to the mixture in a
Styrofoam plate or a paper cup. (this needs to be done the day before or at least 12 hours prior to the activity)
2: Place objects out for the students to choose from
3: Instruct students to use the spoon to smear the petroleum jelly.
4: Instruct students to place their fossil mold on index card with their name written on it.