Discovering Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Life!
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Our Human species has been coming across fossilized remains of ancient life for far longer than we have recorded it, leading to fascinating mythologies and tales of dragons, sea serpents, and all sorts of strange and magnificent creatures! Legends and early accounts such as these slowly gave rise to our modern understanding of the natural world that came before us, and the far more refined field of study that is Paleontology. Dinosaurs and many other prehistoric animals lived far before the appearance of any hominid/ human species, sometimes even 100's of millions of years to be more like it. There is a diverse history that leads up to the modern ecosystems we can find all over the planet, one in which we are learning more about with every passing day as the study of paleontology is quite recent with new fossils and information being learned and uncovered each and every year. Paleontology, is the study of any life prior to the Holocene (around 11,700 years ago or so). That includes the beginning of Animalia (around 800 million years ago) with sponges and invertebrates through the diversification of animals to complex vertebrates (mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians) up to the end of the last ice age! A lot has happened through this immense amount of time including the rise of sharks and other fish to amphibians, even early amniotes which later become our first mammals, reptiles, and birds. The rise and fall of the Non-Avian dinosaurs and various other groups has happened too! Although this class will touch on each of the sub disciplines of Paleontology, our topics of primary discussion will be invertebrate and vertebrate paleontology. Paleontology is an incredibly diverse discipline with an interesting history and a promising future. Fossils have the ability to tell us so much about the planet we live on, especially about its past, evolution, but as well how we can best preserve it going forward and how us humans can live along side each other, the planet, and all other species together in balance. This is a lecture style, interactive class with plenty of time to ask questions. Each week within this course, we will have a lesson and slides prepared about animals of Earth's Prehistoric Past. The natural history of the animals will be shared as well as other information about its biology, ecology, and most up to date knowledge we have regarding these species. Certain classes we may have video clips to watch, activities like games/coloring pages/etcetera, and discussion about these creatures. *Check dates below or message me as we are in sections* *Monday/ Wednesday one section behind* *No class - November 6, 27: December 25, January 1* Topics (*some of the most notable species however we will explore the groups*): May 19- Week 1: Synapsids (Pelycosaurs, Cynodonts, Mammaliforms) May 26- Week 2: Early Sauropsids, Parareptilia, and Pareiasaurs June 2- Week 3: Lepidosaurs- Rhynchocephalia, Squamata- Lizards, and Snakes (Megalania and Titanoboa) June 9- Week 4: Mosasaurs, Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs June 16- Week 5: Pseudosuchia- Crocodilians (Sarcosuchus) June 23- Week 6: Pterosaurs (Quetzalcoatlus, Hatzegopteryx) June 30- Week 7: Turtles (Archelon, Cryptodirans, Pleurodirans, and other members) July 7- Week 8: Stegosauria (Kentrosaurus, Stegosaurus) July 14- Week 9: Ankylosauria (Anodontosaurus) July 21- Week 10: Heterodontosauridae (Fruitadens and relatives) July 28- Week 11: Ornithopoda (Hadrosaurs, Iguanodon, Camptosaurs, Edmontosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Lambeosaurs, and more) August 4- Week 12: Pachycephalosauria (Stegoceras, Pachycephalosaurus) August 11- Week 13: Ceratopsia (Triceratops, Centrosaurines - Styracosaurus, Protoceratops, and other relatives) August 18- Week 14: Basal Sauropodomorpha: Plateosauria (Plateosauridae and Massopoda) August 25- Week 15: Diplodocoidea (Amargasaurus, Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, and other Relatives) September 1- Week 16: Macronaria, Titanosauria (Camarasauria, Laurasiformes, and Titanosaurs) September 8- Week 17: Herrerasauria (Herrarasaurus, Staurikosaurus) September 15- Week 18: Ceratosauria (Ceratosauridae, Abelisauridae- Carnotaurus, Noasauridae) September 22- Week 19: Allosauroidea (Metriacanthosauridae, Allosauridae, Carcharodontosauridae, Neovenatoridae) September 29- Week 20: Megalosauroidea (Spinosaurus, Suchomimus, Baryonyx, Torvosaurus and other relatives) October 6- Week 21: Coelurosauria (Tyrannosaurs like Tyrannosaurus, Yutyrannus, Ornithomimosauria) October 13- Week 22: Maniraptora- Therizinosaurus, Oviraptor, Paraves (Dromaeosaurs a.k.a Raptors!) October 20- Week 23: Avialae ->Bird ancestors (Archaeopteryx) and Aves October 27- Week 24: Early Sharks and other aquatic life! (Megalodon, Amphibians, Fish) November 3 - Week 25: Invertebrates of the Past! (Giant Centipedes, Dragonflies, Scorpions, and more!) November 10 -Week 26: Prehistoric Plants - Ferns, Cycads, and More! November 17- Week 27: After the Cretaceous- to the Holocene (The making of the World as we know it!) No prior knowledge is needed in order to take this course. Feel free to jump in to whichever week as each is a new lesson! Be prepared to dive in to the past and have a whole bunch of fun
Learning Goals
Students will learn about ancient/prehistoric species of animals and their fossils. An understanding of the animal’s biology, ecology, and natural history will be obtained.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Science from The Pennsylvania State University
Hello prospective parents and guardians! My name is Greg or "Mr. G" and I'm an educator from New Jersey, U.S.A..
For over two decades I’ve had a fascination for all there is to do with the natural world and the creatures that call it home. I have worked with and cared for a multitude of species (dogs, frogs, cats, birds, rodents, lizards, snakes, turtles, hedgehogs, fish, various other wildlife, and much more!) throughout the entirety of my life as I tend to my own mini animal sanctuary, love, and work conserving/ researching animals from around the world. I have been teaching learners from over 50 countries here on Outschool since early 2021! :D
I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University where I received a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences! My coursework in university focused on veterinary sciences, biological/natural sciences, and wildlife (Mammalogy, Ornithology, Herpetology, Conservation, and Management). I spent time as a veterinary assistant, have participated in university studies and ongoing research regarding plants and animals (invertebrates, reptiles, various flora), have worked as a fauna and flora surveyor through college and beyond. My continued research of the world around us and outreach is one of my greatest missions. I love hearing about my students' interests and knowledge and look forward to imparting my own to them as well!
My focus as an educator is fostering a love for learning, animals, and what the world has to offer past, present, and future. My teaching style is inclusive, interactive, and hands-on. I believe learning should be fun, enjoyable, and thrilling for both student and teacher. I have a variety of animals that can be incorporated in class to help get learners engaged and excited about nature and the world we live in. We need to get our next generation connected to nature and the organisms that live alongside us to pass the torch and save all that we can!
My passions apart from animals are cooking, art, conservation of the planet, and outdoor activities such as hiking and animal surveying.
I absolutely adore what I do and I'm so excited to meet and teach your learner! Thanks for stopping by and remember... never stop learning!
For specific scheduling requests/ class times, please send me a message!
*Recordings not shared*
*Class is available at the time you are signed up for*
*Message me prior to class such that appropriate action (transfers, etc.) can be taken to get things sorted for you and your learner*
Have a wonderful day :)
Reviews
Live Group Class
$17
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 38 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
1-18 learners per class