Format
1. An introduction to Fossil Butte National Monument and the environment today
2. Definition of the word fossil and explanation of how plants and animals were fossilized in Fossil Lake
3. A “show-and-tell” tour of the fossils on display in our visitor center, which can be interactive if there is an open microphone in the classroom so students can respond to presenter questions, or ask questions of the presenter
4. A wrap-up period for teacher and student questions
Objectives
The students will:
1. Use observation skills to determine what type of plant or animal they are seeing fossils of
2. Will compare the environment/ecosystem of ancient Fossil Lake to environments/ecosystems today based on the fossils they see and information presented
3. Learn about the fossilization process
Standards Alignment
National Standards
K-ESS3-1: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals and the places they live.
2-LS4-1: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
3-LS2-1: Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
3-LS4-1: Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago.
4-ESS1-1: Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation of changes in the landscape over time.
5-LS2-1: Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among, plants, animals, decomposers and the environment.
MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.3.SL.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.