Fossils & Palaeontologists
Understand that fossils are the remains of ancient living things preserved in rock, and that scientists called palaeontologists study fossils to learn about dinosaurs
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Teaching Table
Set out your lesson
Distinguish body fossils and trace fossils from merely fossil-shaped objects.
Can attend to a short explanation and respond orally, by pointing, drawing or writing; check relevant prerequisite understanding rather than assuming age proves readiness.
Check readiness rather than assuming age or source graph order establishes attainment.
Prepared passage, cards materials are available in each step.
Open the teaching material first. Keep the adult key and check sheet separate until their named stage. No printing, purchase or external media is required for the supplied adapted text tasks.
Use the supplied text/schematic indoors. Do not collect, taste, touch or disturb wildlife or unknown materials. Discussion does not require a personal experience.
Only record a real observation after the activity is actually carried out safely; otherwise mark not carried out.
Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.
What this lesson covers and its limits
These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.
- partial: Understand that fossils are the remains of ancient living things preserved in rock, and that scientists called palaeontologists study fossils to learn about dinosaurs
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using repeated-application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
- partial: Describe a fossil as the remains of a living thing preserved in rock
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using repeated-application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
- partial: Name the job of a palaeontologist as someone who studies fossils
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using repeated-application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
- partial: Identify examples of fossils: bones, teeth, footprints in rock
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using repeated-application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
- partial: If {{name}} found a fossil-shaped rock on a beach or at a museum, could they explain what a fossil is and who studies them?
Bounded task opportunity only; this task samples the clause using repeated-application evidence, not full coverage or learner attainment.
Canonical remains wording should include traces such as footprints. No real fossil identification from photographs tested.
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Distinguish body fossils and trace fossils from merely fossil-shaped objects.
Distinguish body fossils and trace fossils from merely fossil-shaped objects.
Family records and proof options
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Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Describe a fossil as the remains of a living thing preserved in rock
- Name the job of a palaeontologist as someone who studies fossils
- Identify examples of fossils: bones, teeth, footprints in rock
“If your child found a fossil-shaped rock on a beach or at a museum, could they explain what a fossil is and who studies them?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Dinosaurs & Paleontology
- Age range
- Ages 5–7