1. 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 Next Fossil Finders Fossils are bones and other signs of plants and animals that lived long ago. THINK about what you already know about fossils. LIST everything under the “K” column on the KWL Chart.KWL Chart Jump Start Question: LOOK at the photos on this page. Where in the world do you think these fossils were found? Complete Fossil Thoughts with your predictions.Fossil Thoughts Fossil of a fern from SIRS Discoverer Fossil of a sea lily from World Book Student How do fossils help us unlock the mysteries of our past? Fossil of a bat from World Book Student

2. 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 Next Watch the videos, How Fossils are Formed and Fossils to learn about different types of fossils and the different ways in which they are formed.How Fossils are Formed Fossils Read the articles below to understand what we can learn from fossils. Fossil Facts Fossils Prehistoric Animal Trilobite fossil from World Book Kids Complete the “L” part of the KWL Chart. Did you find a lot of the answers to your questions from your chart?KWL Chart With a partner or small group, discuss what you would like to learn about fossils and list those questions under the “W” column on the KWL Chart.KWL Chart

3. 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 Next After reading the articles and watching the videos, complete the graphic organizer, Unlocking Mysteries! You may do this activity alone or with a partner.Unlocking Mysteries!

4. 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 Next Ancient Crocs from SIRS Discoverer You will pretend to be a paleontologist who just discovered these fossils of crocodiles. You will need to use your imagination as well as information from the articles, videos, and your graphic organizer to create information cards about your discovery. Your crocodile fossils will be featured at the new exhibit at The Maryland Science Center. On your cards you will need to include: information cards What is this animal and information about its size and other characteristics you can tell from fossils The environment in which they lived How old they are and how you know their age A prediction as to how these fossils were found on the surface of the Earth instead of buried deep

5. 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 Next Last update: November 2011 Created by Office of Library Information Services BCPS Research Module or Slam Dunk Model, Copyright 2005, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module available at http://questioning.org/module2/quick.html. Play Dinosaur games here! Learn about the three time periods and the dinosaurs that lived in them! Learn how to make a display case for your own fossils! Another fun website with games and cool information!

6. Time Frame: 3--50 minute periods Differentiation: Direct students to use comprehension tools included in databases, such as: audio read-aloud, labeled reading levels, and embedded dictionaries. Green star next to reading indicates lower level reading. Yellow star indicates on-level reading. Learning Styles: Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic, Reflective, Global, Sequential Notes to the teacher: Scoring Tool for Assessment If Hyperlinks do not automatically work, have students right-click on hyperlink and choose “open hyperlink” from the drop down menu. Some hyperlinks may require the following passwords:  For SIRS Discoverer: Username: bcps Password: SIRS  For World Book: Username: bcps1 Password: Worldbook Designed for individual research instruction. Students can turn in activities by saving Microsoft documents and copying it to a teacher or student drop folder. If a computer lab is not available, this lesson may be implemented in the classroom or library using an interactive whiteboard or printouts of the linked digital resources. Last update: December, 2011 Created by Laura Ferrante linked to email address lfish@bcps.orglfish@bcps.org BCPS Research Module or Slam Dunk Model, Copyright 2005, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module available at http://questioning.org/module2/quick.html.http://questioning.org/module2/quick.html 1111 2222 3333 6666 5555 4444 BCPS Curriculum Grade 4 Fossil Detectives. Maryland State Curriculum Maryland State Curriculum Standard 2.0 Earth/Space Science Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the chemical and physical interactions (i.e., natural forces and cycles, transfer of energy) of the environment, Earth, and the universe that occur over time. B. EARTH HISTORY Indicator 2. Recognize and explain that fossils provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago and about the nature of the environment at that time. Objectives Recognize and explain that the remains or imprints of plants or animals can become fossils. Describe the physical structures of an animal or plant based on its fossil remains. Identify what an animal or plant fossil is able to tell about the environment in which it lived. Water Land Common Core State Standards Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. Standards for the 21st Century Learner Standards for the 21st Century Learner 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning. 2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations. Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students 3.0 : Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.