Creating Trace Fossil Scenes

The video tutorial introduces the concept of trace fossils, which are imprints left by animals rather than the animals themselves. Students are guided through an activity where they create trace fossils using footprints on paper. The tutorial provides detailed instructions and considerations for creating these fossils, such as the placement of footprints and the scenarios they represent. Various dinosaur scenarios are explored, and students are encouraged to think critically about the scenes they create. The activity concludes with a gallery walk and reflection questions to deepen understanding.

What is a trace fossil?

• A fossil of a mineral

• A fossil of an animal's footprint or trail

• A fossil of a dinosaur bone

• A fossil of a plant

What is the first step in creating your trace fossil scene?

• Glue the footprints on paper

• Receive a scene description

• Choose a color for each footprint set

• Cut out the footprints

How should you cut out the footprints for your scene?

• Cut them into circles

• Cut them into triangles

• Cut along the exact line of the footprint

• Cut them into squares

When arranging footprints, what should you consider about walking?

• The size of the paper

• The color of the footprints

• The type of glue used

• The distance between footprints

What should you observe when crawling to create realistic trace fossils?

• The placement of your hands and knees

• The noise you make

• The color of your clothes

• The speed of your crawl

What is the purpose of taking pictures of the trace fossils?

• To compare them with real fossils

• To create a gallery walk presentation

• To use them in a science fair

• To sell them online

What question should you answer about the number of dinosaurs in your scene?

• How many dinosaurs are represented?

• What color are the dinosaurs?

• What is the size of the dinosaurs?

• How fast were the dinosaurs moving?

What should you consider about the dinosaurs' diet in your scene?

• The color of their footprints

• The size of their footprints

• What the dinosaurs might have eaten

• The speed of the dinosaurs

What is the final task after creating your trace fossil scene?

• Leave it for the teacher to evaluate

• Present it to the class

• Destroy the scene

• Analyze and answer questions about it

What is the significance of the size difference in footprints?

• It helps identify the type of dinosaur

• It determines the color of the footprint

• It shows the speed of the dinosaur

• It indicates the age of the dinosaur