Rocks, Fossils and Dinosaurs at Pebble Brook Primary
To kick-off Year Three’s new topic all about rocks, fossils and dinosaurs, a team member from Everything Dinosaur was invited into the school for a morning. Under the enthusiastic tutelage of the class teacher Mr Tinsley, the children explored how fossils form, how they feel and what they can tell us about animals that lived in the past.
The Science Topic
For the science topic, the class have been examining different types of rock, they have even been on a trip around the school grounds to find examples of different sorts of rock and stone. Our fossil expert explained that some rocks form layers and that by looking at the order in which the layers of rocks have been laid down, then it is possible to work out the relative ages of the different layers. The colourful “Word Wow Wall” helped to illustrate this point.
Year 3 are Learning about Rocks and Fossils
Rocks and fossils with Year 3. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
Rocks and Fossils
The children learned that fossils are usually found in those rocks that form layers (sedimentary rocks). Using special casting powder, that looked like flour but was actually a form of powdered rock (gypsum), the children were able to cast copies of the fossilised teeth of prehistoric animals. Although the water used in the experiment came from the cold tap, as the casting powder slowly turned the liquid in the moulds into a solid, heat was given off. This is a chemical reaction. Some rocks get squeezed, pushed and heated and just like the water, they can go through a change of state. These rocks changed by heat and pressure are called metamorphic rocks.
Volcanoes and Dinosaurs on Display
Rocks and fossils with Year 3. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
There were lots and lots of dinosaurs on display too. As the children will be learning about fossils over the next few weeks, there will be time to explore these amazing prehistoric creatures, not all of which are officially extinct.
Defining the Word Extinct
Year 3 were able to define what the word extinct means and then thanks to the fossil expert who visited the school, the class got to see some objects that suggest that there are animals around today that are so closely related to dinosaurs, that they should really be called dinosaurs!
Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning website: Everything Dinosaur – Shop.
We set the class one or two extra “pinkie palaeontologist challenges” involving some maths and a writing exercise. We look forward to hearing how the budding palaeontologists at Pebble Brook Primary fare. They certainly enjoyed themselves, it was a super fact-filled morning – Yabba Dabba Doo!
To view the extensive range of educational toys and gifts available from Everything Dinosaur including replicas of famous fossil animals: Dinosaur Crafts and Replica Fossils.