An Introduction to Dinosaurs and Paleontology Using Pokémon

This course is all about dinosaurs and Pokemon! We'll examine over 50 Pokemon and their possible dinosaur inspirations. In the first recording, we'll start with the history of paleontology, and what people thought about the dinosaurs bones they found in the ground hundreds of years ago. Next, we will discuss the four main characteristics of dinosaurs, and how the public often misuses the term "dinosaur." We will look at Pokemon that are inspired by ancient animals that are NOT dinosaurs. In the second recording, we'll take a look at our first type of dinosaur - Theropods - and what Pokemon are inspired by various therapod species. The third recording is about our next type of dinosaur - Sauropods. We'll go over all of the different Pokemon that are inspired by Sauropods, and explore this dinosaur's unique characteristics. The final recording covers the three different types of Ornithischian dinosaurs - Ornithopods, Ceratopsians, and Thyreophorans.

▬▬▬▬▬▬ VIDEOS, ACTIVITIES, AND MORE ▬▬▬▬▬▬

• This course has four parts to it. Each part consists of a downloadable video presentation (between 19 and 35 minutes long) hosted on Google Drive, along with some resources and project ideas to expand the students’ understanding.

• In a regular school setting, these materials are ideal for reverse instruction or a flipped classroom unit. For instance, you can assign the video recording to watch at home for homework, and then use the extension activities for class projects. The recordings also work well for sub days and much-needed sanity days!

• If you are using these materials in a home school setting, you could choose to do one part per day or one part per week, doing the projects as time allows. Feel free to have your child email me at lauren.rae.ard@gmail.com, if they have any questions or want to share what they’ve done with the materials.

• This unit also includes a link to my notes and Prezi presentation I use throughout the course, in case you want to give some of the presentation, or expand on the material yourself. Please keep in mind that the video may not match up exactly with the notes and lecture materials, because I do alter and add to my notes as time goes on.

▬▬▬▬▬▬ COURSE OUTLINE ▬▬▬▬▬▬

Recording 1:

• What did ancient peoples think of dinosaur bones?
• The beginnings of paleontology
• The main characteristics of dinosaurs
• Examples of ancient creatures that are NOT dinosaurs
• How dinosaurs are classified

Recording 2:

• Introduction to Sauriscian dinosaurs
• Therapods and the Pokemon inspired by them
• 5 Therapods that would make awesome new Pokemon

Recording 3:

• Saurischian dinosaurs, continued
• The differences and similarities between Therapods and Sauropods
• Sauropods

Recording 4:

• Introduction to Ornithiscians
• Ornithopods
• Ceratopsians
• Thyreaphorans