Lesson Planfor Fossil Study
Patty Keene, 2nd Grade
(Reference-TSWBAT=The Student Will Be Able To)
ConceptsTo Teach:
How Fossils are Formed
Essential Question(s):
2nd Grade: How can people learn about the Earth long ago?
Purpose: TSWBAT understand that fossils provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago on Earth.
ConceptualObjective: TSWBAT distinguish the characteristics that make up and understand that it is a lengthy process.
Specific Objectives: TSWBAT describe how fossils are formed; how new discoveries are made.
Performance Objectives/Learning Outcomes:TSWBAT differentiate between a fossil and a non-fossil, describe how they are formed and explain how new discoveries are made.
Required Materials:
Fossils Tell of Long Ago by Aliki
Fossils
Rocks
Magnifying glasses
Computer
Digital cameras
Smartboard
Scott Foresman Science book
PreTest/Activate Prior Knowledge:(KWL)
How can we learn from the past?
What is a fossil?
What can we learn from fossils?
Lead-In:
Read Fossils Tell of Long Ago
Interactive website “Getting into the Fossil Record” (
Vocabulary:
fossil
paleontologist
extinct
dinosaurs
metamorphic
sedimentary
igneous
Field Study:
Visit a site in which students can discover their own fossils.
Field Study Activities:
Students will find fossils and observe the type of rocks they are found in.
They will draw and write what they have discovered.
Independent Practice:
Students will create their own fossils.
Reflective Set:
Children will discuss their findings from the field study within their cooperative groups, then each group will share out their findings with the whole class.
Assessments:
Drawings
Fossil Making
Information chart
Fossil Records (pg. 67 fromScience by Creative Teaching Press)
AdaptationsforStudents W/ Disabilities: This willbebased on needs of individual kids.
Extensions/Enrichment:
Fossil Hunt field trip
Create power points
Classroom Management:
Small groups
Technology Connections:
Putting pictures on a computer
CROSS-CURRICULAR CONNECTIONS:
Art:
- Students will create their own fossil
- Students will draw their fossils found on fossils hunt
Math:
- measurement
ELA:
- journal writing
- following directions
NEW YORK LEARNING STANDARDS ADDRESSED
MST:
TECHNOLOGY
- Standard 5
THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT :
- Key Idea #1 Living things are both similar to and different from each other and non-living things.
- Key Idea #3 Individual organisms and species change over time.
- Key Idea #5 Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium that sustains life.
- Key Idea #6 Plants and animals depend on each other and their physical environment.
THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:
- Key Idea #1 Many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components air, water, and land.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (GRADES 2-4):
READING, WRITING, LISTENING, SPEAKING:
- Standard 1: Students will RWLS for information and understanding.
- Standard 3: Students will RWLS for critical analysis and evaluation.