Most kids are curious about and intrigued by fossils.
Children, especially younger students, are fascinated by fossils. To get students even more interested and involved in hands on learning, consider using a few activities to explain fossils. From simple ideas to ones that require a little more hard work, children will enjoy actively learning about animals of the past.
Matching Animal with Fossils
To start your lesson, you can play a simple game of matching. Pass out a handout featuring different animal, sea creature and dinosaur fossils in one column, and then a picture or the name of the animals, sea creatures and dinosaurs in another column. Have each student try and match the appropriate fossil and animal. This is an opportunity to describe the different kinds of fossils that you can find right in your own backyard and around the world.
Making Fossils
In the science lab, you can have your students create their own fossils using some simple objects. Supply your students with different objects such as leaves, grass, shells, and snail shells that they can use to turn into fossils. Give each student a small lump of clay. Instruct them to roll and flatten the clay into a pancake shape. They will then press their object into the clay. Gently pull the object out to reveal the fossil. Allow the clay fossils to dry overnight. Then, a light layer of show polish and acrylic sealer can be applied to make the fossils last.
Cleaning Fossils
Teach your students properly clean fossils. Set up each lab table with a bowl of warm water, a soft paint brush, a small chisel and a toothbrush. Collect your own fossils still covered in rock and clay -- or you can insert shells into clay and allow it to dry -- and set them on the lab tables. Have each student learn to carefully dust off any loose dust or clay with the paint brush, and then chisel away any hardened rock or clay around the fossil. The fossil can be dipped into warm water for a quick cleaning, and then brushed gently with a toothbrush.
Setting Up a "Dig Site"
To give your students a treat, set up a fake "dig site" on the playground or the school yard. Insert real or fake shells, fossil impressions, fake bones and other materials into the dirt, clay or sand -- sand boxes work very well for this. Without actually digging into the dirt, clay or sand with their hands, students must use their paleontology brushes to gently push the sand away to reveal the fossils. You may also want to consider taking your students on a field trip to a nearby fossil dig site if you live near one.
Tags: your students, each student, clay sand, dirt clay, dirt clay sand
