Smaller Than You Think

Introduction

In this activity students will compare a life-size drawing of a Tyrannosaurus rex head and a full-size Sinornithosaurus body to understand that dinosaurs varied in size.

Objective

Students will:

  • understand that the size of dinosaurs ranged from very small to very large. Time Frame Approximately two periods (40 minutes each) Materials
  • Six-inch-square pieces of paper (one per student)
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Pencils and black Magic Markers
  • Grids of a Tyrannosaurus head and a Sinornithosaurus body

Procedure

Preparation

1. Duplicate the two grids and cut out each square, making sure you keep the two dinosaurs separate. (When completed, the Tyrannosaurus head will measure about 3 feet x 4 feet. The Sinornithosaurus body will measure about 1 foot x 3 feet.)

Prior Knowledge

2. Call on volunteers to describe the size of the dinosaurs they know. Remind students that while many of the dinosaurs were large, there were also many that were small. 

Exploration

3. Tell students they are going to create life-size drawings of two dinosaurs. Distribute a 6-inch-square piece of paper and a cut-up grid square to each student. Have them write the number of the grid square in the upper-left corner of the blank square.

4. Have students use pencils to duplicate the lines of the small grid on the 6-inch square. Tell students that the drawing must match the grid square exactly.

5. When students are done, display the pictures of both the Tyrannosaurus rex head and the Sinornithosaurus body. Have students check their own grid square to make sure all the connections match. Once the connections are adjusted, have students go over their pencil lines with Magic Marker.

Wrap-Up

6. Have students work in two groups to assemble the dinosaurs. Have them tape their squares to a wall to complete the life-size drawing. Once the dinosaurs are complete, have students compare and comment on their sizes.


Smaller Than You Think


  • More About This Resource...

    • This classroom activity 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. It includes:

      • A step-by-step lesson plan, in which students compare life-size drawings to understand that dinosaurs varied in size
      • Two reproducible grids (a Tyrannosaurus rex head and a full-sizeSinornithosaurs body

    • Completion Time

      Less than a week

    • Subtopic

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

      • the characteristics of organisms• life cycles of organisms• organisms and environments

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understanding about science and technology

      Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

      • characteristics and changes in populations• changes in environments

      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

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understandings about science and technology

      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• life cycles of organisms• organisms and environments

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understanding about science and technology

      Science in Personal and Social Perspectives CONTENT STANDARD F: 

      • characteristics and changes in populations• changes in environments

      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

      Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E: 

      • understandings about science and technology

      History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: 

      • science as a human endeavor