Excavating Remains: Fossil Lesson Plan

This lesson plan designed for 4th-5th grade has students taking the roles of archaeologists learning about the characteristic similarities and differences between birds of today and flying reptiles of the past. The students will witness a discrepant event of trying to figure out what the teacher's "mystery bones" are. The students will engage in an archaeological dig to uncover the remains of a chicken and pterosaur to compare and contrast the bone structures and features.

This lesson can also be used as an activity for higher education classes.
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Goal of Lesson:
Records of the past (fossil evidence) and modern living organisms have similarities and differences that occur over time and through evolution. Students will engage in their own excavation of fossil skeletal remains and skeletal remains of a modern day living organism to determine the characteristics of both species and how they are similar and different.

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The Lesson Plan Includes:
* Standards Met

* Materials Needed

* Science 5-E Model Lesson Plan (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate sections)

* Bone Images

* Diversity Inclusion Plan
- ELL students
- Special Education students

* Questions for students

* Steps to creating the dig simulation


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