Junior Paleontologists Club (Fossils, Dinosaurs, and Ancient Sharks)
This ongoing class will introduce paleontology, the different types of fossils, dinosaur classification, the Megalodon shark, and other ancient creatures. Join in any week to create art projects & science experiments about prehistoric life!
Amalia Fernand, M.S. Nature/Earth Science
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,107)
What's included
1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 1 - 3
Learners will play fossil guessing games to identify specimens, conduct simple science experiments, make clay fossils, and watch educational slideshows, depending on the week(s) joined. This is an ongoing class and each class will be an independent lesson. A learner may join in at any week without any previous knowledge required. Discover how fossils are formed and what the five main types of fossils are. Investigate examples of trace, cast, mold, and true-form fossils while the teacher shares her fossil collection. Find out what megalodon teeth, ancient sea creatures, fossilized scat, and dinosaur bone fragments look like. Learners will be introduced to the geologic time scale and a variety of at home science and art activities will be provided. The teacher will share her experiences volunteering with paleontologists in Madagascar to excavate dinosaur bones and searching for sharks teeth in Florida. Students may enjoy having a magnifying glass, fossils, and fossil books on hand during class, At the beginning of each class, there will be an opportunity for introductions, sharing, and guided discussion. Learners may bring items to class to share related to fossils such as fossils, rocks, books, pictures, dinosaur toys, fossil dig kits, etc. Please limit sharing to one to three items per person, per class. Each week will be independent of each other, and learners may join at any time. No prerequisite classes are required. October 7: Paleontology Tools and Techniques October 14: Types of Fossils October 21: Plant Eating Dinosaurs PLEASE NOTE: Class will not be held on October 28 November 4: Meat Eating Dinosaurs November 11: Flying Reptiles (Pterosaurs) November 18: Prehistoric Sea Creatures and Ancient Sharks November 25: Ice Age Animals and Extinct Birds The following Nature Explorers classroom program animals may make an appearance in class: Cluck-Cluck: the Chicken Scaly: the Corn Snake Slimy: the Tiger Salamander Lizzie: The Leopard Gecko Classes may run up to five minutes over the scheduled time depending on learner discussion and questions.
Learning Goals
Learn about paleontology including how fossils form, the types of fossils, the classification of dinosaurs, and the facts about ancient sea creatures, ice age mammals, and extinct birds.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Scissors are needed for the recommended optional craft projects and parental guidance is required for the use of scissors.
Supply List
A variety of optional craft projects will be provided for before, during, or after class. Learners may choose the project that is the right fit for them depending on interest and available supplies. Please check the classroom for detailed instructions about each project. Print-outs will be attached to classroom posts. MOLD AND TRACE FOSSILS Materials: ~Air dry clay, modeling clay, or make your own sand or salt dough ~Small plastic dinosaurs or animals Optional addition: Plaster of Paris or white glue FOSSIL WORKSHEET Materials: ~printed pdf "Types of Fossils Worksheet" ~scissors ~glue-stick ~coloring utensils DINOSAUR STICK PUPPETS Materials: ~printed pdf of multiple dinosaurs ~scissors ~coloring utensils ~popsicle sticks (alternative: straws, chopsticks, plastic spoons) ~white glue or glue gun DINOSAUR BOOK Materials: ~printed dinosaur sheets ~stapler ~construction paper DINOSAUR POSTER Materials: ~printed dinosaur sheets of your choice ~large construction paper or poster-board (alternative: recycled cereal box). ~coloring utensils ~glue-stick ~scissors ANCIENT SEA CREATURE MAGNET FISHING GAME Materials: ~Yarn or some sort of string ~A magnet (the stronger, the better) ~Paper-clips (alternative: key ring, safety pin) ~A stick ~Printed pdf. "Ancient Sea Creature Fishing Game," or cut your own out of craft foam, poster board, or cereal box cardboard . ~Markers Optional: googly eyes, sequins, glitter, etc. ANCIENT SEA CREATURE BINGO ~Printed Bingo card and somethin to mark your spaces (small stones, pennies, checkers, paperclips, etc.) OR generate a card at this link: https://bingobaker.com#ec776110ee704b29 PLEISTOCENE POSTER Materials: ~large construction paper (alternative: poster board, recycled cardboard, eg: cereal box) ~coloring utensils ~scissors ~glue-stick ~printed pdf. "Ice Age Mammals Poster" Optional: stapler EXTINCT MAMMALS AND BIRDS BOOK Materials: ~printed pdf. "Extinct Mammals and Birds Book" ~coloring utensils ~stapler or brads (paper fasteners) Optional: construction paper
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
1107reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I am offering this class because I am passionate about paleontology and have experience volunteering with paleontologists excavating dinosaur bones in Madagascar.Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
45 min
Completed by 81 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-9
5-8 learners per class
