Exploring Fossils and the field of Paleontology

First, we got to use our Power School website to explore the world of Paleontology. We discovered that Paleontologists not only study and find fossils, they study all kinds of rocks, and they study life. We learned that they look at the evidence of our past to understand what life was like back then! For instance, do you know they found a whale in the desert? It was buried deep below, and let Paleontologists know that the desert was once an ocean! How wild is that! 

We also explored how Paleontologists have to use what they know in order to determine what each new discovery is. If they find bones, they may only find one or two fossilized bones of a dinosaur or animal. Using what they know to be true, they make educated guesses on what animal the bone(s) belong to. We got to do that to and become Paleontologists! Our assignment? Working with our table, we took one bone out of our packet at a time, We discussed what part of the animal this bone may belong to. Then, we took a second bone out, and had the same discussion! Sometimes we found ourselves moving bones around when we pulled out more, since we got more information about the animal the more bones we had! We came up with some amazing creations. Take a look:

Keep Exploring,

Ms. Gillis 

Check this blog out to learn about what is happening with 3rd Grade in the S.T.R.E.A.M. Lab throughout the year.