In this class, students will learn more about dinosaurs - that you've probably never heard of - from the Triassic Period (252 to 201 million years ago) in addition to learning more about the field of paleontology and everything dinosaur-related.

Lessons will be presented through videos and handouts, with fun Kahoot or Blooket games to review what you learned.

Weekly dinosaur lessons will have two or more pages to add to your dinosaur directory, depending on the level of interest.  After signing up for this class, you will automatically receive an OVERVIEW of 15 dinosaurs from the Triassic period along with a map of where dinosaurs have been discovered, and a short "dinosaur dictionary" to use as a reference.  The attachment also includes live links to hear more about each dinosaur for the "diehard dino enthusiast."

** Please request a time that works best for your schedule. I will do my best to accommodate and open a new section for your learner.**

The Mesozoic or "Middle Life" era spans from about 252 million years ago to about 66 million years ago.  This was also known as the age of reptiles or the age of dinosaurs. Scientists divide the Mesozoic Era into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous.  This class is about the first period ~ the Triassic, which was over 201 million years ago.

GOAL:  For students to have fun, "talk dinosaur" and to personalize and organize learning into a Dinosaur Directory (binder collection) that they will be proud to share with family and friends.

Each week students will receive handouts about two dinosaurs who roamed the earth during the Triassic period to read, color, and add to their Dinosaur Directory.  Also included are video links to reinforce and deepen learning, along with an additional lesson about a related DINO TOPIC - such as prehistoric creatures like the Repenomamus, that was big enough to eat small dinosaurs  - or something that a paleontologist should know about, like how they determine if a dinosaur was a plant or meat-eater - or a dynamite discovery such as the one that Mary Anning's made when she found "fossilized poo".  

Yep - fossilized poo - it's real. 😆 (Who would have thought that dinosaur dung would be important?) 


Even though this class does not meet live, I am available to meet students through Zoom for additional support.  Please email requests so that we may coordinate a day and time.  Students also have the option to interact with me and our classmates in the Outschool Classroom as often as they wish.

In this class, students can practice and review learning through KAHOOT and BLOOKET games that I will post in the classroom.  Please help your learner get started with these interactive games.   All links and game pins will be shared in the Outschool classroom.
KAHOOT = kahoot.it 
BLOOKET = blooket.com/play
Please consider setting up a free BLOOKET account … go to blooket.com
Students can access the games with or without creating an account, although, creating and having an account keeps a “History” of the games your learner played (for any class) and some progress data for each of the games. (The paid version is not necessary.)


Materials HIGHLY SUGGESTED:  
Please use a three-ring binder and sheet protectors (or hole-punch the pages) to organize the pages each week - this will be the start of your  "Dinosaur Directory".  The short text may be marked with highlighters noting key points and vocabulary.  Weekly pages will be emailed no later than the morning starting each week and are designed to be colored with crayons, markers, or colored pencils to personalize the student's Dinosaur Directory collection.

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** This class is Part 1: The Rise of the Dinosaurs -  Triassic Period (252 to 201 million years ago)
If students enjoyed Part 1, please look for the upcoming courses of Part 2 & 3 >>>

Part 2:  Dinosaurs Survive Mass Extinction - Jurassic Period (201 to 145 million years ago)
Part 3:  Dinosaur Diversity Around the World - Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago)

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LESSON FOR EACH WEEK of PART 1:  The Rise of the Dinosaurs -  Triassic Period (252 to 201 million years ago)

Week 1 Lessons
TOPIC:  The Triassic Period 
TOPIC:  What is Paleontology? / Paleontologists at Work
DINO #1:  Eoraptor  - 'dawn thief'
DINO #2:  Herrerasaurus - 'Herrera's lizard' (named for Don Victorino Herrera)

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1:  Introduce yourself with whatever information you're comfortable sharing (name, age, where you live) and what made you most interested in taking this class.  What is your favorite dinosaur?  Explain.  Optional:  post an image or drawing of your favorite dinosaur.

Post #2: Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question. You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.



Week 2 Lessons
TOPIC:  Fabulous Fossils (What is a Fossil?  Moving Fossils & What do Fossils Reveal?)
DINO #1:  Coelophysis -  'hollow form' (comes from the hollow limb bones)
DINO #2:   Plateosaurus - 'flat lizard'  or could be translated to 'broad lizard'

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1:  List three things you found most interesting in last week's or this week's lessons.  Ask one question for the teacher or another student to answer.
Post #2:  Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question.  You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.



Week 3 Lessons
TOPIC:  Dinosaur Bone Wars / Dino Bones & Dino Teeth
DINO #1:  Saltopus - 'hopping foot'
DINO #2:  Chindesaurus

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1:  Mary Anning was a pioneering paleontologist and fossil collector. Her lifetime was a constellation of firsts. Are you a fossil collector?   If so, explain how you got started.  Do you like to be first?  What is one thing that you would like to discover "first"?  (It does not have to be related to dinosaurs.)  Are you a collector, like Mary Anning?  If so, what do you collect and why is it important to you?  How did you get started with your collection?  If you have not started one, what would be some things you'd enjoy collecting?
Post #2:  Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question.  You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.


Week 4 Lessons
TOPIC: Amazing Amber & Fossilized Poo (dinosaur dung)
DINO #1:  Riojasaurus - 'Rioja lizard' (chosen because the first specimen was found in the La Rioja Province of Argentina)
DINO #2: Melanorosaurus - 'Black Mountain Lizard' (named after the paleontologist, Ivor Prince, that discover it in southern Brazil and referring to the constellation "The Southern Cross", which can only be seen in the Southern Hemisphere

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1:  This week we learned about a less glamorous side of dinosaur discovery:  fossilized poo! What could we learn from YOUR COPROLITES?  (HINT:  A coprolite can give scientists clues about an animal's diet.)  If a scientist in the future 201 million years found your coprolites, what conclusions would they make about your diet?  What have you eaten?  Have you had enough fruits and vegetables?  Have you eaten plenty of whole grains, fish, and nuts for a healthy diet?  Is there too much sugar, or not enough, in your diet?  Have fun with your answers.
Post #2:  Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question.  You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.


Week 5 Lessons
TOPIC: Dinosaur Relatives Today
DINO #1:  Mussaurus - 'mouse lizard'
DINO #2:  Staurikosaurus - 'Prince's Southern Cross Lizard' 

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1:  Do you have a relative that looks like a dinosaur?  (Just kidding.)  Upload an image of your favorite dinosaur living today.  Based on our lesson this week, how would you explain to your friend or parents how they survived all these millions of years.
Post #2:  Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question.  You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.



Week 6 Lessons - Last Week 
LAST DINOSAUR for Part 1:  The Rise of the Dinosaurs -  Triassic Period  
DINO:  Guaibasaurus - 'Guaiba lizard'
TOPIC: Is Jurassic Park possible? (continued from Amazing Amber)
Culmination Activity:  Triassic Dinosaurs Challenge (and Glossary page)

OPTIONAL POSTS
Post #1: What did you like best about this class?  Do you have any suggestions to make the next class, Part 2, even better than this class?  
Post #2:  Respond to another student's post.  Make a supporting comment, share your expertise, or ask a clarifying question.  You may also post an image of your Dinosaur Directory binder or pages.

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If you enjoyed this class, I hope to see you in Part 2 ~
Part 2:  Dinosaurs Survive Mass Extinction - Jurassic Period (201 to 145 million years ago)

then, Part 3😊
Part 3:  Dinosaur Diversity Around the World - Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago)