Dino Times! How Dinosaurs Lived
Travel to Liaoning, China, where a fossilized lakebed is providing scientists with the most complete picture to-date of what a dinosaur ecosystem probably looked like.
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More About This Resource...
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This activity is designed to enhance a visit to the Museum's Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibit. The printable one-page PDF handout, which focuses on dinosaur ecosystems, includes:
- Information about the fossil remains scientists have uncovered in fossilized lakebeds in China
- Illustrations of eight plant and animal species discovered in Liaoning, China.
- Four "Eco-Quest" questions that prompt students to speculate about these eight animals and plants lived together.
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Completion Time
Approximately 1 period
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Teacher Tip
Supplement a study of paleontology with a classroom activity drawn from this student handout, which was created for the Museum's Dinosaurs: Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries exhibit.
- Ask students: What do we know about the ecosystems dinosaurs lived in? How do you think scientists are able to gather information about these communities that perished so many millions of years ago?
- Give copies of the activity to students. Have students study the illustrations and answer the Eco-Quest questions, working individually or in pairs.
- Challenge students to learn more about the Liaoning discoveries and present their findings to the class.
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Topic
Paleontology -
Subtopic
General -
Subtopic
National Science Education Standards
Grades K-4:• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
Grades 5-8:
• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
Grades 9-12:
• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
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Learning Standard
National Science Education Standards
Grades K-4:• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
Grades 5-8:
• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
Grades 9-12:
• Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C:• Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:
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