Science Lesson Plan 4: Very Old Vertebrates
Curriculum Outcome: DL6.3 Analyze the characteristics and behaviours of vertebrates
(i.e., mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish) and invertebrates.
Objectives: Students compare similarities and differences between fossils and animals of
the present and will be able to explain how fossils provide evidence in changes in animals
over geological time.
Warm Up: Have the students answer the following questions: What are fossils? What
are Paleontologists? How are the two related?
Materials Needed:
Toy Dinosaur Skeletons (can order from> http://explore4fun.com/disk.html)
Clean Sand
Corn Starch
Alum
Water
Big Pot
15-20 small paint brushes
15-20 small screwdrivers
Access to computers or dinosaur books
Procedure:
1. Create Dinosaur dig sand mold by following directions in teacher notes.
2. Give each student a sand block and allow them to excavate the dinosaur bones
from their block using the paintbrushes and screwdrivers. (allow a minimum of 15
minutes for this)
3. Once all students have excavated the bones from their block they will bring them
to the front of the class and the class will work together to put the dinosaur
skeletons together.
4. Ask the students, what is the main characteristic of vertebrate animals? After
students have answered, ask them to find the backbone on the dinosaurs they
excavated.
5. Ask the students, what other characteristics can you see in the dinosaur skeleton
that we saw in other vertebrates? Students might answer this question by
suggesting things like having legs and teeth. They may also answer the question
from information that they have learned from somewhere else such as: dinosaurs
lay eggs, have scales, or being cold-blooded. It is important to point out that this
information that scientists have inferred from studying fossils, and may not be
correct.
6. Ask the students what they know about fossils and what fossils can tell scientists.
While students are answering the question, be sure to list the key points that they
make on the board. After the students have made an adequate list, ask them, Why
is the study of fossils useful? After students have answered, ensure that all
students understand that fossils provide evidence of changes in animals over
geological time.
7. If time allows, get students to pair up and use computers or books to look for
more differences in the skeletons of dinosaurs and vertebrates today. Have them
create a chart to record the similarities and differences they find.
8. Give students an exit slip they must fill out and hand in before the end of the
lesson. Students can work in pairs or individually on the exit slip.
Engage/ Explore: Excavating the dinosaur bones from their sand block.
Explain: Asking students to question the similarities and differences of the dinosaur
fossils to vertebrates today.
Evaluate: Have students fill out exit slip with questions from lesson
Exit Slip: Dinosaurs
Name:
Date:
1. What are two similarities or differences between dinosaur fossils and vertebrates
today?
2. Why is the study of fossils useful?
3. Are the inferences that scientists made about dinosaurs 100% correct? Explain
your answer.
Teacher Notes:
How to make Sand Blocks for “Dinosaur Dig”:
The amounts of each ingredient will vary depending on the size of the blocks you want to
make.
Recipe:
6 cups clean sand
3 cup corn starch
3 tsp. alum
3 cup water.
Mix everything in a big old pot on the stove on medium heat. Keep stirring, it will liquefy,
then after a minute or so it will get like cookie dough. When it gets like this, put on a
cutting board. When it cools down put the plastic bones in the sand mixture, and form the
mold into whatever shape you would like. The molds need to dry for about 2 days.
Questions during Lesson:
What is the main characteristic of vertebrate animals? The main characteristic of
vertebrate animals is that they have a backbone.
What other characteristics can you see in the dinosaur skeleton that we saw in other
vertebrates? Some other characteristics that you can see in the dinosaur skeleton are the
bone structure such a rib cage, skull, leg bones, or even teeth.
Why is the study of fossils useful? The study of fossils is useful because it helps scientists
to understand the changes in animals over geological time.
Are the inferences that scientists made about dinosaurs 100% correct? No they may not
be correct because an inference is just a guess based upon previous experience and
knowledge.
References:
Wesley, Addison: Science and Technology, Diversity of Living Things Grade 6- Pg 35