In this one-time, 50 minute-class, we'll explore the fascinating beasts of prehistoric eras like the Ice Age and Jurassic era. 

This multimedia presentation will introduce biologically-fascinating ancestors like the Velociraptor, Giant Sloth (megatherium), Woolly Mammoth, Saber-toothed Cat, and more. 

We'll discuss how these ancestors evolved into animals we see today over thousands and even millions of years, and how mass extinctions have shaped the development of Earth's flora and fauna. This will also help answer the question: why were the animals back then so much bigger than those today?

Finally, we'll touch on the archaeology behind the discovery of these creatures, including animals frozen in ice and preserved in tar pits (we'll take a virtual tour of Los Angeles' La Brea Tar Pits). 

Students are encouraged to engage and ask questions, but are welcome to passively absorb if they prefer. 

Optional Homework:  Write a ~1 paragraph reflection of what you learned in the class to promote knowledge retention. 

Finally, I recommend checking out my Teacher Profile, especially my Teaching Philosophy section, to make sure this is a fit for your student. 

I also offer this class is part of a multi-week Virtual Natural History Museum course: https://outschool.com/classes/virtual-natural-history-museum-dinosaurs-the-ice-age-oceans-and-rainforests-UWh8H1Gu

and as a Self-Paced Class: https://outschool.com/classes/prehistoric-beasts-dinosaurs-to-the-ice-age-flex-class-1Qq0WCd2

if your student prefers one of those methods of instruction. 

See you in class!

Class listing image: An extract from Rudolph F. Zallinger’s mural “The Age of Mammals"