MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

How is the fossilized skeleton of a dinosaur similar to the modern skeleton of a lizard?

a. They are both small and two-legged.

b. Both have hearts and lungs.

c. They have backbone and tails.

d. Their skin is the same color.

Correct Answer: c

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Which would be an example of a fossil?

a. sedimentary rock

b. oyster pearl

c. dinosaur footprint

d. rotting log

Correct Answer: c

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Why is a fossil dinosaur bone much heavier than the original bone it was made from?

a. it has absorbed water

b. it is much older

c. much of it has dissolved

d. it is now made of minerals

Correct Answer: d

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Why are the soft parts of a shark's body not preserved as a fossil?

a. They are squeezed out when the shark is buried.

b. They are not made of mineral or rock.

c. They cannot be changed to rock.

d. They rotted before fossilization could occur.

Correct Answer: d

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Erin brought a piece of sandstone to school that had some ripples across it. What might it be a fossil of?

a. bird footprints

b. wave marks on a beach

c. a dinosaur backbone

d. a leaf imprint

Correct Answer: b

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Which rock type would be best for finding fossils?

a. sedimentary

b. metamorphic

c. volcanic

d. igneous

Correct Answer: a

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

In which of the following rock formations would fossils most likely be found?

a. granite

b. quartz

c. limestone

d. marble

Correct Answer: c

MC	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

In which type of rock would fossils be found?

a. igneous

b. metamorphic

c. sedimentary

Correct Answer: c

E	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

You have found a rock with an impression in it. How would you decide if it is a fossil?

Correct Answer:

It would look like the remains of an ancient living thing, now preserved.

E	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Describe two ways a fossil bone is different from a recent bone.

Correct Answer:

The fossil will be harder, heavier, a different color (not white) and may not look like a modern animal.

P	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Making a Fossil

Activity Description:

Students will create one cast and one mold.  There will be a written report explaining the process for each and a summary comparing the two types of fossils.

Materials Needed:

Modeling clay (about 1/3 stick per student) plaster of Paris, cooking spray, water, spoon, fossil samples or other objects to make the impression

Prior to Assessment:

Students will have discussed how fossils are formed and what a mold and cast are

Time Needed for Assessment:

3 class periods

Procedure:

1.  Give students the modeling clay and have them flatten it to the size of a cookie.

2.  Students should press an object into the clay.  If you spray it with cooking spray first, it will leave a cleaner impression.

3.  Mix up enough Plaster of Paris for each student to have enough to fill their mold.  Do not mix it until you are ready to start.

4.  Fill the clay molds with the plaster and allow to harden (about 1 hour) 

5.  Carefully remove the clay and students can pick the small pieces off with a toothpick.

6.  You may wish students to answer some questions concerning what they have done. 

Questions:

1.  In this activity, what did you make a fossil of?

2.  Which part was the mold?

3.  Which part was the cast?

4.  How was your fossil different from the object you started with?

Correct Answers:

1.  answers will vary

2.  the clay

3.  the plaster of Paris "copy"

4.  it is made of a different substance, it may not be as detailed, the internal structures are lost.  

Scoring Guide:

10 points, 6 points for completed fossil, 4 points for answering questions correctly

P	4^th Grade	Standard: 04
Objective: 01. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they are formed.
ILO:

Location of Utah Fossils

Activity Description:

Students will choose an area of Utah and research the kinds of fossils found there.  This will lead to completion of a class map of Utah with symbols of fossils placed within the chosen areas.  The state will be divided into 6 areas with teams of 4 to 5 students researching each area.

Materials Needed:

Books, speakers, videos, magazines, inter-net, encyclopedias, etc.

Prior to Assessment:

Students have been taught basic research skills.  They have also worked in groups before and understand how to divide the work.

Procedure:

The students will be allowed to choose their area and group.  Then class periods will be devoted to library, video, or speaker information.  Students will also be allowed class periods to work on written product and oral presentation.  The teacher will develop a large map of Utah divided into the 6 sections. When research and project is completed, each group will present their research and develop a symbol for their section of Utah. This will be placed on the map.

Time Needed for Assessment:

5-6 class periods, including video and speaker

Scoring Guide:

25 points = Written report neat, complete, factual

25 points = Documentation sources noted

25 points = Symbol  - reflects types of fossils in area and appropriate for map

25 points = Oral presentation eye contact, voice clear, correct pacing