November, 2015 | Everything Dinosaur Blog

6 11, 2015

Winwick CE Primary School Study Dinosaurs and Rare Fossils

By Mike|2024-05-05T15:02:06+01:00November 6th, 2015|General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Winwick CE Primary School Study Dinosaurs and Rare Fossils

Winwick CE Primary School Study Dinosaurs

Amongst all the correspondence in Everything Dinosaur’s mail bag this morning was a big, brown envelope full of colourful thank you letters from children at Winwick CE Primary School (Warrington, Cheshire). Everything Dinosaur had visited Reception and Year 1 last month as the children had been learning all about fossils and dinosaurs as part of their term topic. Our dinosaur expert (Dinosaur Mike), challenged the children to write a thank you letter to Everything Dinosaur, part of the extension resources that we had discussed with the teaching team earlier. We received some amazing and extremely colourful thank you letters from the children.

Colourful Thank You Letters

Polly Says Thank You After A Dinosaur Workshop

A colourful thank you letter from Polly.

Polly say thank you after the dinosaur workshop. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Winwick CE Primary School and Everything Dinosaur

Always Happy to Receive Letters

We are always happy to receive letters like these. We do all we can to encourage handwriting skills amongst Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children. A visitor to the school provides an opportunity for the children to write a thank you letter and we loved reading the letters that Year 1 sent into us. In addition, the wonderful drawings were a bonus, we enjoyed looking at the very colourful prehistoric animals.

To see the vast selection of prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Prehistoric Animal Models and Dinosaurs.

A Thank You Letter from Harry (Year 1)

A colourful thank you letter from young dinosaur fan Harry. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Winwick CE Primary School and Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Workshop

Whilst conducting a dinosaur workshop we like to encourage the Year 1 children to send thank you letters to Everything Dinosaur. We discussed a number of extension ideas and activities with the teaching team. Team members emailed over extra resources and support materials to assist the teaching team after our visit. The children really enjoyed the very tactile fossil handling session. It looks like the class has a number of palaeoartists in residence too.

To learn more about Everything Dinosaur’s outreach work: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

Our dinosaur workshops are very popular with Key Stage 1 children. It is always a pleasure to meet such an enthusiastic group of young dinosaur fans and to help them with their studies.

6 11, 2015

First Pictures of New CollectA 2016 Models

By Mike|2023-04-08T08:16:55+01:00November 6th, 2015|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Photos of Everything Dinosaur Products|0 Comments

Mercuriceratops, T. rex Prey, Hunting T. rex and Metriacanthosaurus

The first pictures of some of the new for 2016 models made by our chums at CollectA have been released. Everything Dinosaur has been given an exclusive first look. So, without further ado, here are the first four.

Metriacanthosaurus – M. parkeri

“Parker’s moderately spined lizard”.

Picture credit: CollectA

New Prehistoric Animal Figures

First up, Metriacanthosaurus, an eight-metre-long monster that once roamed southern England. Known from fragmentary fossils, excavated from an exposed Upper Jurassic horizon near the town of Weymouth (Dorset, England), this dinosaur may have been the apex predator of that part of the world around 156-157 million years ago. Where Metriacanthosaurus is placed in the Theropoda remains hotly debated.

Once classified as a megalosaur, more recent research has placed this formidable hunter in the Sinoraptoridae. It is a beautiful model and it’s great to see another “English” theropod added to the impressive CollectA “Prehistoric Life” model range. Metriacanthosaurus measures an imposing 17 cm in length.

T. rex the Hunter!

A hunting T. rex.

Picture credit: CollectA

CollectA 2016 Models

You wait ages for a feathered Tyrannosaurus rex model and then two* turn up within a few months. The second new for 2016 model is a depiction of a hunting T. rex and what a skilfully created replica it is. The hunting T. rex measures 24 cm long and Anthony Beeson, the clever designer behind this range explained:

“Tyrannosaurus rex hunting is designed with a less evolved plumage when compared to the 2015 CollectA Deluxe Feathered T. rex model so that it may be interpreted by the collector as either an immature male or as a female. The latter in order to show sexual dimorphism.”

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into the creation of this, the very latest depiction of the “Tyrant Lizard King”.

Tyrannosaurus Prey – T. rex Corpse

T. rex corpse.

Picture credit: CollectA

T. rex Corpse

Not every hunt was successful, even for Tyrannosaurus rex. Like Metriacanthosaurus that lived some ninety million years earlier, T. rex may have been an apex predator, but sometimes it did not get everything its own way. At 31 cm long, this is an impressively sized model which shows lots of detail, the gory demise of a tyrannosaur possibly as a result of an encounter with a bigger member of its own species or maybe after a battle with a pack of the recently described giant, Hell Creek Formation dromaeosaurid Dakotaraptor (D. steini).

The Designer Comments

Explaining how he decided on the pathology for his model, designer Anthony Beeson stated:

“I designed Tyrannosaurus as prey in order to show that however fearsome a carnivore may appear, it is likely to end up in the food chain eventually. It also shows that Tyrannosaurus faced death at the hands of its own species especially during mating and the body shows damage caused by another Tyrannosaurus based on bite marks identified in the same areas on other fossils.”

It is fantastic to see a T. rex corpse introduced by CollectA, Everything Dinosaur are “dead” certain that this will prove to be a very popular model!

* There are now three feathered Tyrannosaurus rex replicas thanks to CollectA.

The Chasmosaurine Mercuriceratops

Wonderful horned dinosaur replica.

Picture credit: CollectA

CollectA 2016 Models – A Horned Dinosaur Included

Continuing the trend (or should that now be called a tradition), for producing excellent horned dinosaur models, is a replica of the chasmosaurine Mercuriceratops and it’s another beauty. This carefully painted ceratopsian measures an impressive 16.5 cm long and it is a beautiful rendition of a distant relative to Triceratops and Torosaurus.

CollectA have by far and away the most extensive line up of horned dinosaur models. This new for 2016 addition is going to prove to be a big hit with fans of horned dinosaurs.

More news about CollectA will be posted up by Everything Dinosaur in the near future. All these models will be available from Everything Dinosaur in the Spring of 2016. Looks like it is going to be a great year for CollectA!

To view the existing range of CollectA prehistoric animals: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

To view the Deluxe CollectA range: CollectA Deluxe Figures.

*Oops four feathered T. rex models from CollectA we forgot about the juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex replica.

5 11, 2015

Warrington’s Wonderful Dinosaurs

By Mike|2023-04-08T08:11:50+01:00November 5th, 2015|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

A Morning with Year 1 and Reception (Winwick CE Primary)

October was a very busy month for the dinosaur experts at Everything Dinosaur with lots of school visits to squeeze in amongst all the other prehistoric animal projects that we were involved with. On a Wednesday, towards the end of the month we delivered a dinosaur workshop to Reception and Year 1 pupils at Winwick CE Primary School (Warrington, Cheshire) and what a fun and fact filled morning it was. The emphasis was on exploring dinosaurs and fossils so that the term topic could link into key areas of the national curriculum related to numeracy and literacy.

Lots of extension ideas and activities followed on from our visit, for example, we set the Year 1 children one of our special “pinkie palaeontologist challenges” – could they compose a thank you letter to Everything Dinosaur?

A Set of Wonderful Dinosaur Thank You Letters from Year 1

Year 1 write thank you letters.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Sure enough, we received an envelope from the school, sent into us by the class teacher (Mrs Common) and inside we found a lovely set of thank you letters from the children. Our dinosaur expert had asked the children to make sure they got their words onto the lines correctly, that they used capital letters and full stops. In addition, we wanted to see some wonderful spelling.

Amelia Says Thank You to Everything Dinosaur

Amelia says thank you.

Picture credit: Winwick CE Primary School and Everything Dinosaur

What super writing Amelia, well done you!

Dinosaur Workshop

Year One Class Send in Thank You Letters After Dinosaur Workshop

A thank you letter from Ethan. Well done!

Picture credit: Winwick CE Primary School and Everything Dinosaur

We enjoyed reading through the letters and we loved looking at the wonderful prehistoric animals that the children had drawn, especially the ammonites!

To discover more about Everything Dinosaur’s outreach work: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Commenting on the busy morning, a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“We had a fantastic time working with the children. Special thanks to Mrs Dudley, Mrs Hansley, Miss Abu and Mr Bate for their help and assistance on the day. A big Iguanodon thumbs up to Mrs Cameron who even offered us some toast at break-time.”

It sounds like Everything Dinosaur were very well looked after at the school. Dinosaurs as a term topic provides so many opportunities for children to gain confidence with their writing, develop their vocabularies and to practice simple addition and subtraction. A big thank you to all the children who sent in letters to us, this is greatly appreciated.

Everything Dinosaur stocks a wide variety of dinosaur and prehistoric animal themed merchanise including dinosaur themed clothing: Dinosaur Themed Clothing.

4 11, 2015

Dakotaraptor Compared to Utahraptor – Remarkable Dromaeosaurids

By Mike|2024-05-05T15:02:43+01:00November 4th, 2015|Dinosaur Fans, Main Page, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

Dakotaraptor Compared to Utahraptor

The vast majority of the dromaeosaurids known were actually rather small when compared to other types of theropod dinosaur. As a group, these active dinosaurs were geographically widespread with fossil specimens found in Asia, both North and South America and even England (Nuthetes destructor). All species described to date were predatory and they certainly seemed to have been amongst the most adaptable of all the Theropoda.

Over the last few years our view of these feathered terrors has changed. They are no longer confined to the role of swift cursorial (running) hunters, scientists have proposed that many members of the Dromaeosauridae were excellent climbers (scansorial), tree dwellers (arboreal) and that a number of them were volant (capable of powered flight or gliding).

Dromaeosaurids like Changyuraptor Seemed to have Filled a Variety of Ecological Niches

“Four winged” terror.

Picture credit: S. Abramowicz

The illustration above depicts the dromaeosaurid Changyuraptor yangi from Liaoning Province (China), it was very probably capable of flight.

Dakotaraptor compared to Utahraptor

Over the dromaeosaurids long evolutionary history, gigantic forms did evolve and we suspect that Cretaceous-aged strata still hold the undiscovered remains of a number of super-sized dromaeosaurids. With the naming and describing of Dakotaraptor (D. steini), the Hell Creek Formation can now boast a gigantic sized raptor amongst its faunal members. At around five and a half metres in length Dakotaraptor was a sizeable beast, but for the moment, the dinosaur called Utahraptor (U. ostrummaysorum) which roamed what was to become the State of Utah more than fifty million years before Dakotaraptor evolved, is regarded as the largest.

Direct comparisons are difficult, the two individuals that represent Dakotaraptor (a gracile form and a more robust specimen) are known from only fragmentary remains, limb bones, vertebrae including caudal vertebrae, for example. The holotype of Utahraptor is also fragmentary, consisting of some cranial material, a tibia and caudal vertebrae. Some further fossil material assigned to Utahraptor has come to light since Utahraptor ostrummaysorum was formally named and described, but even so, direct comparisons between these two North American giants is difficult.

Comparing Claws

Ironically, there is one part of these two dinosaurs that we can compare and contrast. The famous sickle-toe killing claw, what is termed the pedal ungual II.

The Sickle-Toe Claws of Utahraptor and Dakotaraptor Compared

Comparing those “killer claws”.

Picture credit: Robert DePalma with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

In the photograph above, a cast of the second toe claw of Utahraptor (left) is compared to that of Dakotaraptor (right). The claws are very similar in size, although the degree of curvature is different. In addition, Dakotaraptor had a more pronounced flexor tubercle (the ringed area in the photograph). This would suggest that the second toe claw of Dakotaraptor was highly mobile dorsoventrally (it could be moved up and down really well). This might indicate that Dakotaraptor, already nick-named D-raptor, was more capable of slashing with its second toe and with some considerable force too.

When the proposed femur to tibia bone ratios are compared between Utahraptor and Dakotaraptor, it can be seen that D. steini had body proportions very similar to the much smaller dromaeosaurids such as Dromaeosaurus. Utahraptor’s hind legs seem to have been more robust and as a result Utahraptor may have been a heavier animal, but in a sprint Dakotaraptor probably had the edge. Both dinosaurs could very probably outrun even the most talented athlete.

The presence of this new predator expands the record of theropod diversity in Late Cretaceous Laramidia, adding a new dimension to the ecology and food chains that likely occurred in North America towards the end of the Mesozoic.

Why Dakotaraptor steini?

The genus name translates as “robber or thief from Dakota”, whereas the trivial name honours American palaeontologist Walter W. Stein.

CollectA have introduced a large number of feathered dinosaurs including Utahraptor, Velociraptor and Microraptor: CollectA Prehistoric World Models.

3 11, 2015

Deadly Dakotaraptor – A New Late Cretaceous Super Predator

By Mike|2024-05-05T15:03:12+01:00November 3rd, 2015|General Teaching, Key Stage 3/4|Comments Off on Deadly Dakotaraptor – A New Late Cretaceous Super Predator

Scientists Report on Car-sized Raptor

The Hell Creek Formation of North America has provided scientists with fossils of some of the most iconic dinosaurs known. These ancient sediments were once home to dinosaurs such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex, however, amongst the many thousands of fossils excavated from these Upper Cretaceous rocks, there were a number of large teeth, unmistakably from a huge dromaeosaur (raptor), but no bones associated with them to provide a description. All that has changed with the publication of a paper in the academic journal “Kansas University Paleontological Contributions”.

Dakotaraptor steini

Terror of the Late Cretaceous of North America

Dakotaraptor steini.

Picture credit: Emily Willoughby

A team of scientists drawn from a number of top American institutions along with professional fossil collectors from the Black Hills Institute of South Dakota have described the partial and very fragmentary skeleton of a super-sized dromaeosaurid dinosaur that once co-existed with the likes of Triceratops and T. rex, sixty-six million years ago. The fossils, including front limb bones and a huge, sickle-shaped toe claw were found in Harding County, South Dakota.

This dinosaur has been named Dakotaraptor steini. Although, less than ten percent of the skeleton has been excavated, comparisons made between these bones and the fossils of more complete raptors such as the famous Velociraptor, suggest that Dakotaraptor measured more than five and half metres in length. This makes it one of the largest dromaeosaurids known and the second largest from North America. Only Utahraptor, a meat-eating dinosaur that roamed Utah some fifty million years or so before Dakotaraptor evolved, was bigger.

Utahraptor – A Scale Drawing

A Utahraptor scale drawing.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Hell Creek Ecosystem

The research team, led by Robert DePalma (Curator of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History (southern Florida), have speculated on where in the Hell Creek ecosystem, this agile predator may have fitted, after all, the apex predator was Tyrannosaurus rex. It has been suggested that Dakotaraptor may have been a pack hunter and preyed on other types of herbivore and so it may not have been in direct competition with the tyrannosaurs.

Important Skeletal Features Preserved

Described as being about the size of the “raptors” that featured in the Summer blockbuster “Jurassic World”, Dakotaraptor preserves two very intriguing anatomical features on its bones. Firstly, there is the enormous sickle-shaped claw on the second toe. It measures sixteen centimetres in length, but when the sweeping curvature of the outer curve of the claw is considered, the claw measures an impressive twenty-four centimetres in length. That’s roughly the same size of the toe claw found in the much larger Utahraptor.

In addition, the ulna (bone in the forearm), preserves fifteen large and distinct ulnar papillae (quill knobs). These depressions in the bone are the places of attachment for big, pennaceous feathers. Dakotaraptor is the largest known dinosaur which had wing feathers.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Fossil teeth had indicated that within the Hell Creek Formation strata, evidence for a substantial dromaeosaurid would be found. This fascinating discovery adds another dimension in terms of niche partitioning to the fauna of this part of North America during the Late Cretaceous.”

The Beasts of the Mesozoic range contains a large number of articulated dromaeosaurid models. To view the range: Beasts of the Mesozoic Models and Figures.

3 11, 2015

Dakotaraptor a New Giant Raptor

By Mike|2024-05-05T15:03:43+01:00November 3rd, 2015|Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Dakotaraptor steini and Niche Partitioning

An international research team which included scientists from the University of Kansas, Pete Larson (Black Hills Institute of Geological Research) and Bob Bakker (Houston Museum of Science and Nature) , have finally solved a hundred year mystery with the describing of a very large dromaeosaurid from fluvial deposits that form part of the famous Hell Creek Formation exposed in South Dakota. Teeth, very typical of a dromaeosaurid, had been found in the Late Maastrichtian deposits indicating the presence of a very large “raptor”, however, no bones to link to the teeth were known.

However, a paper published in “Paleontological Contributions” describes Dakotaraptor (D. steini) and a new super-sized Dromaeosaur has been introduced to the world.

Dakotaraptor – A Fearsome Predator

Dakotaraptor steini – a giant raptor.

Picture credit: Emily Willoughby

Dakotaraptor

At an estimated five and half metres in length, this new meat-eating dinosaur, known from fragmentary remains representing two individuals fills a niche within the food web of the fauna represented by the vertebrate fossils associated with the famous Hell Creek Formation. A number of small theropods are known as well as the super-sized tyrannosaurs such as T. rex. Dakotaraptor represents a sort of “halfway house” when it comes to the carnivores associated with Hell Creek

Its limbs and body are very similar to the smaller dromaeosaurids known from this part of the world, dinosaurs such as Dromaeosaurus, (the first dromaeosaurid ever described), Saurornitholestes, and the recently named Acheroraptor but proportionately much larger. Dakotaraptor was one “raptor” that actually did grow to be as big as the “Velociraptors” featured in the Jurassic Park franchise.

The Beasts of the Mesozoic range includes a variety of feathered dromaeosaurid models. To view the Beasts of the Mesozoic range: Beasts of the Mesozoic Articulated Dinosaur Figures.

Commenting on the size and scale of Dakotaraptor, co-author of the publication and Kansas University palaeontologist, David Burnham said:

“This new predatory dinosaur also fills the body size gap between smaller theropods and large tyrannosaurs that lived at this time.”

Fossils Found in 2005

The fossils were found in 2005, lead author of the research, Robert DePalma, (curator of vertebrate palaeontology at the Palm Beach Museum of Natural History) led the field expedition to Harding County (South Dakota) where the specimens were located. At the time, he was a graduate student studying under former Kansas University professor and curator Larry Martin, who sadly passed away in 2014.

He explained:

“This Cretaceous period raptor would have been lightly built and probably just as agile as the vicious smaller theropods such as Velociraptor.”

As Big as the “Jurassic Park” Raptors

In addition to being roughly the size of the iconic “Raptors” from Jurassic Park, there are two very exciting skeletal features preserved in Dakotaraptor. The paper describes a massive dromaeosaur sickle claw on the middle toe. It measures 16 cm from top to bottom and 24 cm along the outer curve. This was an impressively large raptorial claw, even for an animal this size.

The ulna, a bone in the forearm, bares 15 large and distinct quill knobs, or ulnar papillae, which are reinforced attachment points on the wings of birds and other dinosaurs where the large, pennaceous feathers attach. This makes Dakotaraptor the largest known dinosaur with confirmed wings.

Reconstructed Dakotaraptor Wing and Proposed Plumage

The “wings” of Dakotaraptor.

Picture credit: Robert DePalma

Dakotaraptor may not have competed directly with adult tyrannosaurs. Perhaps it adopted a different hunting strategy or specialised in attacking a different sort of prey. By doing this it would have avoided direct competition between it and other large predatory dinosaurs. This is an example of niche partitioning.

When asked by Everything Dinosaur about this particular aspect of the research, Robert DePalma explained:

“Niche partitioning is a given, Dakotaraptor had to occupy a distinct ecological niche. If it coexisted with the other large predators, had the same herbivores available to them, and did not out compete each other to extinction, then there had to be different strategies going on.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of Kansas University and Robert DePalma in the compilation of this article.

2 11, 2015

Why Would a Dinosaur Not Make a Good Pet?

By Mike|2023-04-07T21:04:49+01:00November 2nd, 2015|Educational Activities, Main Page, Teaching|0 Comments

Year 2 at Bishop King CE Primary School Study Dinosaurs

As part of the extension activities suggested by Dinosaur Mike of Everything Dinosaur during his visit to Bishop King CE Primary School (Lincoln, England), to work with Key Stage 1, the children in Year 2 were challenged to have a go at designing their very own dinosaur. Having met Tyler and explained that in the past a huge marine reptile roamed the seas of what was to become the United States of America, one of the company’s “pinkie palaeontologist challenges” was set. Could the pupils come up with their very own prehistoric animal?

A Wonderful Oliversaurus from Oliver

Oliver designs a dinosaur.

Picture credit: Bishop King CE Primary School

Dinosaur Workshop

The children took to their task with gusto. We challenged the class to think carefully about their dinosaur. For example, what colour would it be? Would it have a long neck or a short neck? A big body or a little body? We wanted to see lots of lovely labels including pointing out where the dinosaur’s skull was, a word we introduced to the classes during our fossil handling activities.

Everything Dinosaur stocks a range of dinosaur themed toys and gifts: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

A Big Green Dinosaur with Navy Blue Spikes on His Back

A big green dinosaur.

Picture credit: Bishop King CE Primary School

Year 2 Term Topic

The term topic for the two classes of Year 2 children this autumn has a science focus. The aim is to decide whether or not a dinosaur would make a good pet. This subject area acts as an umbrella topic, linking in with exploration of food chains, habitats and life cycles as well as learning about different parts of the body. This particular extension exercise dovetails nicely into art as well as supporting literacy, vocabulary development and handwriting skills.

Excellent Labelling Just Like a Scientist

A very colourful dinosaur design.

Picture credit: Bishop King CE Primary School

When it comes to providing posters for conferences detailing research, it is important to provide accurate, well annotated diagrams. This is a useful skill within palaeontology. It seems from these examples here that the pupils at Bishop King CE Primary have started to hone their science skills at an early age.

Commenting on the Drawings

Commenting on the drawings, that were very kindly sent into Everything Dinosaur by class teacher Miss Knapp, a spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“A new dinosaur is named and described approximately every three weeks. By the time the children break up for Christmas it is very likely that a further two dinosaurs will have been formally named and described. Dinosaurs were a very diverse group of reptiles, over the 165 million years in which dinosaurs existed they evolved into all sorts of forms, as well as the giants such as Diplodocus and Tyrannosaurus rex, some dinosaurs could fly, others lived in trees whilst some types of dinosaurs excavated burrows.”

Our congratulations to the children in Year 2. They have come up with some beautiful and very colourful dinosaurs and Everything Dinosaur team members were most impressed with all the clear labelling. We hope our dinosaur workshop went some way to help the children to answer the question why would a dinosaur not make a good pet?

2 11, 2015

Year 2 Get to Grips with Fossils

By Mike|2023-04-07T20:58:58+01:00November 2nd, 2015|General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Year 2 Get to Grips with Fossils

A Day of Dinosaurs and Fossils with Year 2

Year 2 pupils at Anfield Infants and Nursery school started the second part of the autumn term with a “dino-tastic” day studying dinosaurs and fossils. The schoolchildren received a visit from Everything Dinosaur. All three classes in Year 2 will be studying dinosaurs and fossils as a term topic up to Christmas. Our dinosaur expert provided a provocation session to enthuse children and teachers alike.

A Dinosaur Workshop in School

The school provides a dinosaur themed term topic each year. There are some splendid examples of prehistoric animal themed artwork dotted around the classrooms and corridors. Around one corner lurks a very colourful three-dimensional sculpture of a Triceratops. One of the activities the children took part in was to explore the role played by the horns of dinosaurs in communication. Could the children remember how Triceratops signalled to alert the herd that a Tyrannosaurus rex was approaching?

A Colourful Triceratops Spotted in School

A Triceratops spotted at a school.

Picture credit: Anfield Infants and Nursery School/Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaurs and Fossils

One of the extension activities we provided involved the children imagining what it might be like to have a pet Triceratops. Everything Dinosaur’s expert explained about the jaws and teeth of Triceratops and then challenged the children to compose a story about a pet Triceratops visiting their school and having lunch. Just how much would it eat on its visit? It’s a good job we were able to demonstrate what a large appetite this dinosaur had. We think Anfield Infants and Nursery School would have to order in more breakfast cereal!

Other extension activities we provided involved measuring dinosaur tracks and a novel way of calculating just how long a T. rex was. With the workshops focused on tactile activities and discovery learning, these extension ideas were introduced with the specific aim of giving the children more confidence with numbers. Our expert briefed the teachers on the extensions and provided all the resources they would need to conduct the work in the following days after the dinosaur workshop in school.

Tyrannosaurus rex Looks On

Tyrannosaurus rex model spotted at a school.

T. rex model spotted at a school.

Picture credit: Anfield Infants and Nursery School/Everything Dinosaur

We loved the teeth on the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex artwork on display.

A Dino-tastic Day!

The children had a fantastic (or should that be “dino-tastic”) time on their first day back after the half-term break.

Commenting on the workshops provided by Everything Dinosaur, the teacher of the Year 2 class called “Bright Sparks” stated:

“It was a very interactive session, the children thoroughly enjoyed it and were so engaged!”

To view the dinosaur themed toys and gifts available from Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Themed Toys and Gifts.

We promised the children that if they wrote thank you letters to Everything Dinosaur, then our team of experts would answer any dinosaur related questions that they included within their thank you letters, but we did explain that we wanted to see proper use of full stops, capital letters and of course question marks.

What a great start to the second half of the autumn term for Year 2!

For further information on Everything Dinosaur’s educational and outreach work, simply email team members: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

1 11, 2015

Special Dinosaur Books for Christmas

By Mike|2024-05-05T15:04:10+01:00November 1st, 2015|Book Reviews, Dinosaur Fans, Main Page|0 Comments

Dinosaurs of the British Isles – Dinosaur Book for Christmas

Having discussed a book dedicated to the fascinating story of a group of armoured dinosaurs, the Polacanthidae, yesterday, “British Polacanthid Dinosaurs”, published by Siri Scientific Press, our attention now turns to a book all about dinosaurs from the same publishers that would make an ideal Christmas gift for the general reader.

Dinosaurs of the British Isles

The remarkable polacanthids are covered along with some one hundred other species in the book “Dinosaurs of the British Isles”, written by Dean Lomax and Nobumichi Tamura.

Dinosaurs of the British Isles (Front Cover)

A comprehensive guide to British dinosaurs over 400 pages.

Picture credit: Siri Scientific Press

A Beautifully Illustrated Publication

This beautifully illustrated publication provides a comprehensive audit of all the dinosaurs known from the British Isles. It maps out (literally), where dinosaur fossil discoveries have been made and puts these fossil finds into context with regards to their importance in the history of studies related to the Dinosauria.

The information has been lovingly compiled and the authors summarise what is known about the history of every dinosaur species discovered up to its publication date (2014). Within the 400 or so pages, there are hundreds of photographs of fossils, many of which are not on display to the general public. These pictures are supported by easy to understand text, supplementary illustrations and highly detailed skeletal drawings.

To order a copy, visit: Siri Scientific Press.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s review of this book: A Review of “Dinosaurs of the British Isles”.

“Dinosaurs of the British Isles” has received rave reviews being described as “fantastic” and as “a vitally important book for any UK dino enthusiast”.

British Dinosaur Discoveries

The book is a truly unique account of British dinosaur discoveries and it will be of interest to the general reader as well as fans of dinosaurs and senior academics. Dean has been busy this year, there was a two-part television documentary that aired in the late summer which provided more information on dinosaurs from Britain. In addition, Dean has embarked on a very hectic public speaking tour. Dean’s work is already inspiring this country’s future palaeontologists and if you want to help the next generation to grasp the significance of Britain when it comes to the Dinosauria, then “Dinosaurs of the British Isles” is a great way to start.

Highly recommended as a Christmas gift.

Everything Dinosaur stocks a wide range of prehistoric animal themed gifts: Toys and Dinosaur Gifts.