1. How can a fossil tell us about the past?
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Fossil Detectives 1 2 3 4 5 6
1. Question
Imagine that you are a detective, but not just any detective. You investigate and discover the mysteries of the past!
The kind of detective you will become is a paleontologist. Use the clues left for you by plants and animals from long ago.
Think about these questions as you follow the clues.
How is the history of life written in the rocks?
How is a paleontologist like a detective?
Image Source: clipart.com
Video and song: youtube.com
How can a fossil tell us about the past?

2. 2. Information Sources Silver Star Resources Gold Star Resources
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2. Information Sources 1 2 3 4 5 6
The resources listed below will provide you with more information about fossils. Gather information about one fossil and fill in the Fossil Detective Clue Chart. Ask your teacher which links are best for you.
Remember the essential question:
How can a fossil tell us about the past?
Silver Star Resources
Gold Star Resources
Meet a Paleontologist
Ammonite
Herring
Allosaurus
Triceratops
Tyrannosaurs Rex
How Fossils are Formed
The Big Dig
Fossil Facts
Fossil Finding
Different Types of Fossils
Image Source: Picodrome Public Domain Pictures
*NOTE: Go to the BCPS Database page and click on BrainPOP Jr., then return to this slide and click on the video link above.

3. The information that you gather will help you in your final activity.
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3. Student Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6
You will choose one fossil to investigate as directed by your teacher. Use the websites on the previous slide to conduct your research.
As you research, be sure to pay close attention to the clues you uncover about your fossil. You will need to infer information about your fossil’s environment as you work through the resources.
Next, organize your thoughts and ideas on the Fossil Detective Clue Chart .
The information that you gather will help you in your final activity.
Image Source: Clipart.com by subscription

4. Now you are going to show what you have learned!
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4. Assessment Activity
Now you are going to show what you have learned!
You will create a trading card to share with your classmates. Be sure to reference the rubric to ensure you have included the necessary information on your card.
Save your trading card on the shared drive as directed by your teacher.
Be ready to share your trading card with the class!

5. 5. Enrichment Activities
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5. Enrichment Activities 1 2 3 4 5 6
Create your own dig site for you and your friends! Learn how to make fossils and dig them up! Excavate the chips from a cookie! Pretend you are a paleontologist and using your digging tools (a toothpick) carefully unearth the delicious chocolate morsels.
Image Source: National Park Service
Check out these fun online activities to learn more about fossils!
Virtual Tour of the Smithsonian Natural Museum of Natural History
Virtual Dino Dig
Reconstruct the fossils using the pieces discovered on your dig site.
Learn More about National Fossil Day
Image Source: Clipart.com

6. 6. Teacher Support Materials1 2 3 4 5 6
BCPS Curriculum Grade 4 Library Media-Science-Fossils 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 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations Use creative and artistic formats to express personal learning. Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students 3.0: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.
Time Frame:
Two 50 minute lessons in the computer lab
Differentiation:
Direct students to use comprehension tools included in databases, such as: audio read-aloud, labeled reading levels, and embedded dictionaries.
On page 2, the silver stars are challenging and the gold stars are basic.
Learning Styles:
Auditory, Visual, Kinesthetic, Reflective, Sequential, Field Independent
Notes to the teacher:
Open the first page of the Slam Dunk with students. The link to the paleontologist song is on YouTube, so you will need to share this with students since they do not have access to YouTube.
Print out the worksheets prior to student research.
For the final assessment, students will need the student template for the trading card. The teacher should use the teacher resource to make a compilation of the class’ final trading cards.
Teacher will need to show video from YouTube on page 1 as students do not have access to YouTube.
Last updated: July 2014 Created by Amy Blackwell Sara Saffell Karen Connor, BCPS Teachers BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2012, 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.