Children's Books
Fossils Tell of Long Ago. By Aliki. Illus. by Aliki. (1990). 32p. HarperCollins, (978-0064450935). Gr. K-3.
In clear, precise language, Aliki explains how dinosaur tracks are cast in mud, how insects trapped in sticky tree sap harden into amber, and how fossils of tropical plants are found in very cold places. The book closes with a suggestion for creating a one-minute fossil by making a clay imprint of a hand, letting it dry, and burying it for someone to find a million years from now.
In clear, precise language, Aliki explains how dinosaur tracks are cast in mud, how insects trapped in sticky tree sap harden into amber, and how fossils of tropical plants are found in very cold places. The book closes with a suggestion for creating a one-minute fossil by making a clay imprint of a hand, letting it dry, and burying it for someone to find a million years from now.
Fossils (Smithsonian Handbook). By David Ward. (2002). 320p. DK Adult, (978-0789489845). Gr. 2-5.
The newest addition to the DK Handbooks series, Smithsonian Handbook to Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals covers everyone's favorite beasts: dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, from wooly mammoths to Archaeopteryx. With detailed profiles of 200 dinosaur species, full color illustrations and photographs to show actual excavation sites, this is the most comprehensive guide to these early creatures and the world they inhabited millions of years ago. This would be a good book for students to use to look at pictures of different fossils.
The newest addition to the DK Handbooks series, Smithsonian Handbook to Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals covers everyone's favorite beasts: dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures, from wooly mammoths to Archaeopteryx. With detailed profiles of 200 dinosaur species, full color illustrations and photographs to show actual excavation sites, this is the most comprehensive guide to these early creatures and the world they inhabited millions of years ago. This would be a good book for students to use to look at pictures of different fossils.
Barnum's Bones: How Barnum Brown Discovered the Most Famous Dinosaur in the World. By Tracey Fern. Illus. by Boris Kulikov. (2012). 36p. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, (978-0374305161). Gr. K-2.
Barnum Brown's (1873-1963) parents named him after the circus icon P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary--and he did! As a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display there today. An appealing and fun picture book biography, with zany and stunning illustrations by Boris Kulikov, BARNUM'S BONES captures the spirit of this remarkable man.
Barnum Brown's (1873-1963) parents named him after the circus icon P.T. Barnum, hoping that he would do something extraordinary--and he did! As a paleontologist for the American Museum of Natural History, he discovered the first documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs on display there today. An appealing and fun picture book biography, with zany and stunning illustrations by Boris Kulikov, BARNUM'S BONES captures the spirit of this remarkable man.
The Best Book of Fossils, Rocks, and Minerals. By Chris Pellant. (2007). 32p. Kingfisher, (978-0753460818). Gr. K-2.
This fact-filled, accessibly written book encourages young readers to start exploring our rocky world and discover the treasures that lie beneath our feet, from fascinating fossils to precious gemstones.
This fact-filled, accessibly written book encourages young readers to start exploring our rocky world and discover the treasures that lie beneath our feet, from fascinating fossils to precious gemstones.
Web Sites for Kids
How Fossils Form - Video
This is a short and simple video that teaches students how fossils are formed.
Dinosaur Cove - Fossil Hunting Interactive Game
See how many fossils you can find amongst the rocks on the beach in Dinosaur Cove before the tide comes in.
Dino Dig - Interactive Game
Complete 2 digs to become a junior paleontologist. Finish all 5 to become a pro. The higher the number, the harder the dig.
Skeleton Jigsaws - Interactive Game
Imagine how hard it is to reconstruct animals from fossil bones where many of the pieces are broken up or lost. This is what it is like for real scientists where a 50% complete fossil is exceptional. Try your luck with the jigsaws.
This is a short and simple video that teaches students how fossils are formed.
Dinosaur Cove - Fossil Hunting Interactive Game
See how many fossils you can find amongst the rocks on the beach in Dinosaur Cove before the tide comes in.
Dino Dig - Interactive Game
Complete 2 digs to become a junior paleontologist. Finish all 5 to become a pro. The higher the number, the harder the dig.
Skeleton Jigsaws - Interactive Game
Imagine how hard it is to reconstruct animals from fossil bones where many of the pieces are broken up or lost. This is what it is like for real scientists where a 50% complete fossil is exceptional. Try your luck with the jigsaws.
Teacher Resources-Lessons/Activities
Make Your Own Fossil
With this fun activity kids can make a fossil and enjoy learning about the science behind it at the same time.
Fossil Fun
This is an activity where the students make a fossil of an object and discover what they can learn about the object just by observing the fossil.
Fossil Dig
Each student will now have a chance to become a ‘paleontologist for a day’ in this Fossil Dig activity. Students will "dig up" a "fossilized rock" (a chocolate chip cookie), and using a “fossil pick” (toothpick), students will pick the “fossils” (chocolate chips) out of their “rocks” (cookies). When all students are finished, discuss as a class which types of fossils were represented in the activity. The chocolate chips that were picked out resemble true fossils and the indents that remain from the chips resemble molds.
The Busasaurus
With this link there are two activities that go with The Magic School Bus series that teachers can use with their students to teach them about fossils.
With this fun activity kids can make a fossil and enjoy learning about the science behind it at the same time.
Fossil Fun
This is an activity where the students make a fossil of an object and discover what they can learn about the object just by observing the fossil.
Fossil Dig
Each student will now have a chance to become a ‘paleontologist for a day’ in this Fossil Dig activity. Students will "dig up" a "fossilized rock" (a chocolate chip cookie), and using a “fossil pick” (toothpick), students will pick the “fossils” (chocolate chips) out of their “rocks” (cookies). When all students are finished, discuss as a class which types of fossils were represented in the activity. The chocolate chips that were picked out resemble true fossils and the indents that remain from the chips resemble molds.
The Busasaurus
With this link there are two activities that go with The Magic School Bus series that teachers can use with their students to teach them about fossils.
Teacher Resources-Assessment
Fossils Quiz
A 10 question online quiz that reviews what students have learned about fossils.
Fossil Paragraph
Write a paragraph explaining what fossils are, how they are found, and what they tell us about life long ago using the provided word bank. Include facts and details that describe and explain your main ideas.
Criss Cross
This is a crossword puzzle that uses the different vocabulary associated with fossils.
Word Search
This is a word search that uses the different vocabulary associated with fossils.
A 10 question online quiz that reviews what students have learned about fossils.
Fossil Paragraph
Write a paragraph explaining what fossils are, how they are found, and what they tell us about life long ago using the provided word bank. Include facts and details that describe and explain your main ideas.
Criss Cross
This is a crossword puzzle that uses the different vocabulary associated with fossils.
Word Search
This is a word search that uses the different vocabulary associated with fossils.