Catherine Tanner Pershing East Magnet School Project Exploration- Science Teacher Field Institute Catherine Tanner, STFI Fellow, July 2008

Topic: Using Fossils to Understand Ecosystems Description: In this inquiry-based lesson plan unit, students will use the Marine Fossils from the Bear Paw Shale Formation, (found at the “Lost in Time” Ranch, Montana) to guide their inquiry about organisms and their connection to their environment. The students will use their questions, gained from examining the fossil artifact, to guide research projects. They will use print and non-print resources to help them answer their questions.

STATE GOAL 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences. E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources. 12.E.4b Describe how rock sequences and fossil remains are used to interpret the age and changes in the Earth.

Bear Paw Shale Formation, MT

Marine Fossils, Bear Paw Shale Formation, MT

Marine Fossil, Bear Paw Shale, MT

Deep Sea Mussels Island Estuaries