The process of an animal or plant becoming a fossil is usually taught in the elementary grades. Children will learn the different types of fossils such as petrified fossils or trace fossils. After the paleontology lesson is complete, students will benefit from creating their own fossils. This will allow them to witness the process first hand. These fossils can then be displayed in the classroom to act as a reminder of the lesson.
Instructions
1. Place the flour, salt, vegetable oil, and alum in a large bowl. Mix these ingredients together.
2. Add the water slowly, mixing all the ingredients at the same time. Cold water works best. Stop when you have added all of the water.
3. Knead the mixture like you would bread dough.
4. Separate the dough so that each student gets a one-inch ball of dough.
5. Lay down a sheet of wax paper for each student, and then lay the fossil dough on top of it.
6. Flatten the dough. Once the dough is flat, the students can press an object in the dough. Leaves, shells, and stones will all make good fossils. Students can even use acorns if they want.
7. Remove the object after the student has made the impression and then set the dough out to dry. The fossil is now complete.
Tags: each student
