My Science Box

Summary
Fossils are extremely rare but also extremely exciting and rich with information about past life on Earth. In this lesson, students learn about the major types of fossils and how they form. They complete the lesson by illustrating and creating a “Choose Your Own Adventure” type story in which a Tyrannosaurus rex dies with 7 different possible endings, only one of which results in the discovery of its fossilized skeleton.

Objectives
Can list the different types of fossils and the way each forms.
Can describe and diagram the conditions required for the formation and discovery of fossils.
Can understand why fossils are so rare and why many forms of life that once existed on Earth have not yet, and may never be, discovered.

Vocabulary
Fossil
Body fossils
Permineralization
Trace fossils
Mold fossils
Cast fossils