"Digging Dinosaurs"

 

 

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Introduction

Millions of years ago, strange creatures walked the earth. They were called dinosaurs. Even though no one has ever seen one alive, they continue to fascinate people around the world. How can learning about dinosaurs help us learn about animals around us today?

 

 

Task     

Help Wanted- Dinosaur Expert Needed!
•A new fossil of a  dinosaur has been discovered by two children playing in Eldridge Park. Since you are an expert on dinosaurs, your help is needed in deciding what type of dinosaur, plant-eating or meat eating (herbivore vs. carnivore), has been found.
 
   
 
 
Process
As a class, you and your teacher will create an Inspiration web classifying the different types of dinosaurs (meat eating carnivore) vs. plant eating (herbivore)) and the characteristics of each type. Sample
•Working with a partner, you will look at a picture of the fossil that was found and then answer questions about the fossil.

Each set of partners will look at a different picture of the dinosaur fossil. Using this picture:

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1. Decide if the dinosaur was a plant-eater, meat-eater, or both.
2. Complete a booklet on different types of dinosaurs. Click on the picture to see the pages.

                

3. Draw a picture of what the fossil dinosaur might have looked like.

Resources

Booklet information 

   
          

Learn about their teeth    

    

     Pictures 

Learn about their skin
 

General Information

   

 

Learn about their eggs

 

               

Dinopedia

Evaluation
                                                                          Project  Rubric
 
4
3
2
1
Compare/Contrast
Extensively compares and contrasts the different types of dinosaurs using  information gathered.
 
Successfully compares and contrasts using information about the different types of dinosaurs.
Attempts to compare and contrast the different types of dinosaurs.
Unable to compare and contrast the different types of dinosaurs.
Picture
Collects data and completes picture using many details.
 
Collects data and completes picture with important facts
Collects data and completes picture with some facts.
Unable to complete picture.
 

Partner Evaluation for older students: Evaluation

 

Partner Evaluation for younger students: Evaluation