More About This Resource...

• This activity, available as a one-page printable handout, was designed to complement Dinosaurs Alive! — an IMAX film that follows AMNH paleontologists around the globe as they uncover some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. This activity includes:

  • A step-by-step explanation of how artists work from a reconstructed dinosaur skeleton to re-create what the animal may have looked like in real life
  • An illustration of a Velociraptor skeleton that students are challenged to turn into a lifelike drawing, as wells as a link with they can find other dinosaur skeletons
  • A fun fact about dinosaurs

• Completion Time

  Approximately 1 period

• Teacher Tip

  Supplement a study of paleontology with a classroom activity drawn from this Dinosaurs Alive! IMAX film activity.

  1. Ask students: How do artists start with a fossil skeleton and turn it into a realistic animal drawing?
  2. Distribute copies of the activity sheet. After reviewing the steps, have students try their hand at fleshing out the Velociraptor skeleton.
  3. As a class, discuss the activity and ask for volunteers to display their drawings. What students find the activity easy or hard? How did they make decisions such as skin color or patterns?

• Topic

  Paleontology

• Subtopic

  Tools and Methods

• Subtopic

  National Science Education Standards
  Grades K-4:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • the characteristics of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor

  Grades 5-8:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • diversity and adaptations of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor

  Grades 9-12:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • behavior of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor

• Learning Standard

  National Science Education Standards
  Grades K-4:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • the characteristics of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor

  Grades 5-8:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • diversity and adaptations of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor

  Grades 9-12:
  Life Science CONTENT STANDARD C: 

  • behavior of organisms

  History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

  • science as a human endeavor