Total Duration: |
61 to 90 Minutes |
Materials and Resources: |
Alabama shark tooth fossil (If fossils are not available, view the McWane Center fossil database.) Playdough in 4 different colors
Small Paper Cups (bathroom-size, one cup per student) Vinegar (1 bottle) Baking soda (1 box) Straws (one per student) Plastic knives (1 per group of 4 students) Sprinkles Paper and pencils Paper towels or napkins Gadsden Times Article, “Miles from Ocean, Creek Contains Reminders of Prehistoric Sharks” (can be printed for each student or displayed for whole-class guided reading) Evaluation Checklist for each student Blue sticky note for each student Yellow sticky note for each student Chart paper Toothpicks (1 per group of 4 students) Optional materials for building student background knowledge about fossils and rocks:
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Technology Resources Needed: |
Teacher computer with interactive whiteboard or projector for showing websites Optional (for acceleration) - student computers or tablets for interactive websites |
Background/Preparation: |
Background Information: Alabama is one of the most biodiverse states in the country. The state has many different ecosystems due to a large number of freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers as well as land features that vary from forests in the mountains to the estuary in Mobile Bay. Alabama also has a rich fossil record that shows how much Alabama’s geologic features have changed over millions of years. Many fossilized shark teeth have been found in central Alabama, showing that the state was once under the ocean. Road cuts and canyons formed by running water show the layers formed in rock over time. These layers show how rock formations change through erosion and sedimentary deposits, and the fossils encased in rock show Alabama’s unique history. While a field trip is not required to complete this lesson, there are many sites in Alabama that give students the opportunity to see rock layers and fossils firsthand. Consider taking a class field trip to one of these state parks, national parks, or museums to enhance your students’ understanding of fossils and rock formations.
To learn more about fossils and how they are formed, visit BackYardNature.net or TeachEngineering.org. Since this is an introductory lesson, students do not need specialized skills to complete the lesson, but they should be familiar with the term fossil. If students do not have prior experience with fossils, build background knowledge with the books listed in the materials section. Preparation: Make or buy playdough and separate it into pieces for each group. Each group of 4 students needs a 1-2” ball of playdough in four different colors. For each group of 4 students, fill one paper cup ⅔ full of vinegar, another cup ½ full of baking soda, and a third cup ¼ full of sprinkles. Prepare the “How Marine Fossils Were Discovered in Central Alabama” graph by dividing the chart paper into three columns. (Click here for a sample graph.) Label the bottom of the columns “They were moved here by other animals,” “They were left here when Alabama was under water millions of years ago,” and “Sharks and whales used to live on land.” (If desired, you can divide the graph into 4 parts and label another column “other” so students who have a different idea can add these to the chart.) Copy Gadsden Times Article (one per student). |
Before/Engage:
During/Explore/Explain:
After/Explain/Elaborate:
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Assessment Strategies |
The “How Marine Fossils Were Discovered in Central Alabama” chart serves as an informal pre- and post-assessment. Students' individual written explanations serve as the summative assessment and can be evaluated using this checklist. Point values may be assigned to each item on the checklist if desired. |
Acceleration: |
Students can learn more about rocks, minerals, and fossils using interactive websites at http://interactivesites.weebly.com/rocks-and-minerals.html. |
Intervention: |
Placing students in heterogeneous groups will give students access to peer tutors during the hands-on modeling activity and while reading the news article. |
View the Special Education resources for
instructional guidance in providing modifications and adaptations
for students with significant cognitive disabilities who qualify for the Alabama Alternate Assessment.
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