Today's Classroom Activities :

Everyday Fossils

Make a Fossil/Tell a Tale
Science/Writing Use PLAY-DOH® or fast-drying clay and seashells to make some fossils. After each student has created one, have him or her write a fictional story about how, when and where it was found, what it tells about the people who first lived in the area, etc.

Everyday Fossils
Art/Science Provide modeling clay for the students along with some sea shells, small plastic animals, etc. Attach a short piece of fishing line to each object. Then have the children press the object into a flattened piece of clay. Remove the object by gently tugging on the fishing line and study the resulting "fossil." Have real fossils on display in your classroom as well as pictures online or in reference books.

Dinosaur Atlas
This colorful atlas, divided by continent, maps locations for dinosaur fossil finds and provides details about the locations and the animals found on each continent. The artwork shows scenes of the habitat and other animal life in each region, and includes fact and profile boxes on the dinosaurs.

ACTIVITY
FOSSIL DETECTIVES
Choose a fossil location or dinosaur park from the book and put together your own "Did You Know?" pamphlet for tourists. Make sure your pamphlet includes a map for the location of your park, the major fossil finds in and around the area, a discussion about the types and characteristics of the dinosaurs found in that area and a Question and Answer section based on what you've learned. Use the information you put in your pamphlet to nominate your park for the 2007 Dinosaur Fossil of the Year award.