This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades K-5. It focuses on how scientists have developed theories about what dinosaurs were like by using evidence that they have found. Students work in groups and as a class to discover what a theory is and how it is supported or disproven. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, ... Full description.

This site explains how to use evidence from fossils to understand the ecology of ancient organisms. Fossils provide clues and together abiotic and biotic factors combine to form complete ecosystems, each with its own unique ecology and history. Predator and prey relationships and dispersal are used as examples to show how fossils can also tell us about biotic factors, such as what organisms are present ... Full description.

In this lesson, students will understand what can be learned from fossils and in doing so, realize the difference between fact and theory. This lesson is the first of a two-part series on fossils. These lessons will go beyond naming dinosaurs and give students a broad understanding of how we know about the great beasts. They will start to acquire knowledge of the fossil record in preparation for learning ... Full description.

This activity introduces students to the concepts of time, past life, and fossils. After completing these exercises students will be able to evaluate the importance of fossils to our knowledge of past life, identify conditions necessary for fossilization, construct a possible scenario for formation of fossils, understand how organisms are adapted to their environments, and understand the relationships ... Full description.

This site describes the skeleton of Tyrannosaurus rex at the University of California Museum of Paleontology and includes active links for more information. The first, Meet T. rex gives general information about the animal. The second link, Building T. rex, includes pictures of the actual construction of the skeleton. The third link contains children's art depicting various dinosaurs. The final link ... Full description.

This is a series of interactive modules that explore the history of life on Earth, while focusing on the processes of science. Each module contains suggested lesson plans and an extensive teacher's guide. In addition, each module has a suggested grade level and an adaptable grade level. Full description.

This site, from the San Diego Natural History Museum, contains a group of thirteen classroom activities, based on the film entitled Ocean Oasis. These science activities offer an interdisciplinary approach, involving language arts, mathematics, and history/social studies, as well as science knowledge and skills. They may be used individually, with or without viewing the movie, or as an integrated ... Full description.