Or
DISCUSS:
How could you find out what your town was like before people lived there?
DISCUSS:
How can the same spot have fossils of LAND animals AND fossils of AQUATIC animals?
Teachers: If you are short on time, this is a good stopping point.
You can come back and use your completed Colossal Canyon model next time.
If you’re continuing right now, advance to the next slide.
The following readings are free with registration at Readworks.
A collection of readings all about rocks! Review how rocks tell us about the past, learn about the three different types of rock, and explore the rapid changes that shape Earth’s surface (Grade 4). One of the readings also provides a review for how sedimentary rock forms (Grade 4).
Fossil Hunt — Everything you need to prepare to go on a fossil hunt of your very own. The American Museum of Natural History provides guidance on the supplies you’ll need and how keeping a field journal is an important part of fossil discovery!
Layers of Time Fossil Game — Play an online fossil game developed by paleontologist Sterling Nesbitt at the American Museum of Natural History. Watch the video to learn how sedimentary rocks and fossil patterns help us understand when organisms go extinct. Then play the online game to test your skills!
Colossal Canyon from this lesson’s activity is a model. In reality, there is no single location that has rocks from every geologic period. National Parks across the United States often have rocks and fossils from a specific geologic time scale. You can explore those geologic time scales and find out which types of rocks and fossils can be found at a National Park near you!
The Mystery Science Mini-Lesson “What’s the best place to look for dinosaur fossils?” extends the concept that knowing something about the type of rock can help you find fossils. (7:20)
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