Fossils Reveal Ancient Environments
Understand that fossils tell us not only about ancient animals but also about ancient environments — for example, marine fossils found on a mountaintop show that area was once underwater
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“If your child heard that seashell fossils were found on a mountain, could they explain what that tells us about what the area used to be like?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Understand that fossils tell us not only about ancient animals but also about ancient environments — for example, marine fossils found on a mountaintop show that area was once underwater
What to notice. Give an example of a fossil that reveals a past environment different from today's • Explain that finding marine fossils inland means that area was once covered by sea • State that plant fossils can show whether an area was once a forest, desert, or swamp
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If your child heard that seashell fossils were found on a mountain, could they explain what that tells us about what the area used to be like?
Understand that fossils tell us not only about ancient animals but also about ancient environments — for example, marine fossils found on a mountaintop show that area was once underwater
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Check understanding
- Give an example of a fossil that reveals a past environment different from today's
- Explain that finding marine fossils inland means that area was once covered by sea
- State that plant fossils can show whether an area was once a forest, desert, or swamp
“If your child heard that seashell fossils were found on a mountain, could they explain what that tells us about what the area used to be like?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Dinosaurs & Paleontology
- Age range
- Ages 7–9