How to be a Paleontologist
Kindergarten
Objective: The children will be able to understand the basic characteristics and work of a Paleontologist through example.
Initiation: Can anyone tell me how dinosaurs are found? Does the mailman find dinosaurs? Do policemen find dinosaurs? Does a detective find dinosaurs?
Development: After brainstorming ideas of how dinosaurs are found I will show the class some pictures of a paleontologist doing some digging for fossils. We will discuss and talk about fossils. I will then tell the class that they are going to become paleontologists. Each student will have the opportunity to work as a paleontologist would by using a toothpick and a chocolate chip cookie. The cookie itself will be the "rock" and the chocolate chips will be the "fossils". They will carefully chip away at the cookie while trying to excavate the chip.
Closure: Do you think a paleontologist has a difficult job? If so why? How did you feel about being a paleontologist? Tomorrow we will talk more about fossils and how a dinosaur can be put together like a puzzle.
Materials: Pictures of paleontologists, goggles for students, tooth picks, chocolate chip cookies.
Time: 30 minutes
For a sample of Dino Days section click here.