Everything Dinosaur Blog - Dinosaur Models

6 03, 2015

Year 6 Study Life in the Past

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:51:20+00:00March 6th, 2015|Categories: General Teaching, Key Stage 1/2|Comments Off on Year 6 Study Life in the Past

Combe Down Year 6 Classes Study Life in the Past

Children in Year 6 (classes 6RH and 6W), have been learning all about life in the past and natural selection. With the likes of Stonehenge on their doorstep, the school in the pretty village of Combe Down is surrounded by evidence of Stone Age and Bronze Age settlements. The children have been studying life in the past and making some wonderful charcoal impressions of cave paintings as well as some very realistic prehistoric jewellery.

Life in the Past

Stone Age Studies for School Pupils

“Stomp, stomp, roar”! The class make books about dinosaurs. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

These studies helped the students as they are now going on to study evolution and natural selection whilst in Upper Key Stage 2. Both classes in Year 6 will be studying evolution and a visit from Everything Dinosaur provided a perfect provocation to help kick the topic off. The teaching team too, were grateful for the visit from Everything Dinosaur.

Dinosaur Workshop

The fossil expert was able to provide a foundation for the children’s studies and to point out to them that their school was made from limestone formed during the Jurassic (Bathonian limestone). Year 6 certainly enjoyed their evolution workshop and Everything Dinosaur promised to send onto the school addition resources linked to extinction and habitat change so that the teachers could undertake some exciting extension activities.

Contact Everything Dinosaur to see the range of models, toys and gifts: Everything Dinosaur.

5 03, 2015

The Very Complicated Human Family Tree Revealed by New Discoveries

By Mike|2024-05-04T22:01:59+01:00March 5th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Geology, Palaeontological articles|0 Comments

New Research and New Discoveries Shed Light on our Ancestry

If anyone has had an opportunity to trace their family tree, then they know that given the wealth of data around today, a few clicks of the keyboard can provide a great deal of information about your family. However, when it comes to tracing the origins of the “human family”, the evolution of our own species, then things are much more tricky. New research published today in the journal “Nature” is helping to unravel the complicated journey that hominins have taken, a journey that eventually saw the emergence of our species, Homo sapiens sometime around 220,000 years ago.

Homo habilis

Using a fossilised very human-like partial jawbone found at Ledi-Geraru, (Ethiopia), which has been dated to around 2.8 million years ago, in addition with already described material, an international team of scientists have reconstructed the skull of the early hominin Homo habilis (handy man) and looked at the ancestry of this species. The research team included scientists from the University College London, in collaboration with the National Museums of Tanzania and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig, Germany).

This new research helps to establish the human lineage and to determine what makes H. habilis so distinctive from the early Australopithecines such as the famous “Lucy” fossil – A. afarensis which ironically, was discovered not too far from where the 2.8 million year old hominin lower jaw was found. However, the fossils of “Lucy” are much older. The partial skeleton of “Lucy” has been dated to around 3.2 million years ago.

The Famous “Lucy”

To read more about an exhibition that features the remarkable preserved remains of “Lucy”: Pictures from an Exhibition.

The first fossils of “handy man”, Homo habilis were described in 1964. They consisted of a distorted lower jaw, hand bones and a highly fragmented braincase, all representing the bones of a single individual. These fossils were catalogued as Olduvai hominin (OH7). The rarity of early human bones, along with the very distorted remains associated with the earliest evidence of H. habilis made determining the unique characteristics and features of this species extremely difficult.

However, this research team utilised state-of-the-art computerised tomography and sophisticated computer modelling to unscramble the distorted remains and to piece together a reconstruction of the skull and jaws of Homo habilis.

The Human Family Tree

The question that has puzzled palaeoanthropologists since the scientific description of Homo habilis and the subsequent discovery of more Australopithecine fossil remains was, could the likes of “Lucy” have evolved into the very first human-like creatures? Professor Brian Villmoare (University of Nevada), believes that the discovery of this 2.8 million year old jaw bone, complete with five teeth helps to confirm this hypothesis.

The Fossilised Jaw Bone (2.8 million years old)

Something for the palaeoanthropologists to get their teeth into.

Picture credit: Brian Villmoare (University of Nevada)

The problem is this, the fossil record between the time period when “Lucy” and her kin were alive and the emergence of Homo erectus (with its relatively large brain and human-like body proportions), some two million years ago, is extremely sparse. What has been found, is also very fragmentary, making tracing evolutionary links difficult. The ancient human-like jawbone is highly significant. The molar teeth are much smaller and less robust than those of other hominins known from the fossil record. It is the size of the jaws and the teeth wherein that helps scientists to distinguish more human-like species from those which are more ape-like.

Commenting on the significance of this fossil find, scientists have stated that this new discovery pushes back the human evolutionary line by some 400,000 years or so. The fossilised jawbone with its mix of primitive and more advanced traits makes it a candidate for a transitional species between the Australopithecines and the human family tree.

The Digital Reconstruction of the Skull and Jaws of Homo Habilis

The digitally mapped and reconstructed skull of H. habilis.

Picture credit: University College London

“Handy Man”

The “handy man” fossil material having undergone its computer modelling reveals new information about the jaw shape. The computer having reassembled the distorted jaw described in 1964, to provide a more accurate reflection of the living bone. The research published in “Nature” suggests that Homo habilis has older evolutionary roots than previously thought. This research supports the idea that many different types of Homo species existed in Africa between 2.1 and 1.6 million years ago.

Climate change, leading to a much drier, deforested habitat may have led to a spurt in evolutionary experimentation as species adapted to the new environment and exploited new niches in the changing ecosystem. The modelled lower jaw reveals primitive traits such as seen in Australopithecine fossil material, but it also has more advanced features, distinguishing H. habilis from its contemporary Homo rudolfensis.

The potential transitional link between hominins and Australopithecines remained elusive until the University of Nevada discovery of the 2.8 million year old jawbone. The fossil, known as LD 350-1 is an excellent candidate for the ancestor of Homo habilis and other early hominins.

Commenting on the fossil jawbone discovery, Dr Villmoare stated:

“LD 350-1 reveals that many of the anatomical patterns we see in two million year old Homo were established much earlier in the evolution of the genus. At 2.8 million years ago we see relatively evolved Homo traits in combination with other, much more primitive anatomical features, a result that is particularly interesting in light of the shape of the OH7 reconstruction.”

4 03, 2015

How to Weigh a Stegosaurus

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:19:23+00:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: General Teaching|Comments Off on How to Weigh a Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus Weighs 1.6 Tonnes

Scientists at the Natural History Museum (London), have embarked on a research project to learn more about one of the most iconic of the dinosaurs – Stegosaurus. Back in November 2014, Everything Dinosaur team members reported on the building of a new exhibit at the museum, one that features the most complete fossilised skeleton of a Stegosaurus stenops found to date. The fossilised remains are more than 80% complete and the skull is exquisitely preserved. This specimen is going to be the focus of an on-going research project into these armoured dinosaurs, the first of its kind for eighty years.

Stegosaurus

“Sophie” the Stegosaurus Weighs 1.6 Tonnes

A posterior view of the spectacular “Sophie” the Stegosaurus (S. stenops” exhibit at the London Natural History Museum. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Weighing a Stegosaurus

Prior to the fossils being mounted in their exhibit pose, every single bone was scanned and digitally recorded. Using this information, it was possible to calculate the weight of this Late Jurassic herbivore. The research team have concluded that the Stegosaurus nick-named “Sophie” weighed in at 1.6 metric Tonnes. That’s heavier than a Ford Focus car, a Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) and about as heavy as twenty adult men. Palaeontologists require information about body mass as it is a key component in calculations related to locomotion and metabolism.

Commenting on the significance of this research, published in the academic journal “Biology Letters”, lead author Dr Charlotte Brassey stated:

“If we want to estimate how fast an animal runs, you need body mass; if you want to say something about their metabolism, you need to know their body mass. So, yes, we’re really glad that we’ve been able to get hold of this very early on, and now what I’m looking to do is begin to strap muscles on to our computer models so that we can get her walking to say something about locomotion.”

To view the extensive range of Stegosaurus figures and models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Models and Prehistoric Animals.

4 03, 2015

“Sophie” The Stegosaurus at 1.6 Tonnes According to New Research

By Mike|2024-05-04T22:02:26+01:00March 4th, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal News Stories, Dinosaur Fans|1 Comment

Scientists Calculate the Body Mass of a Stegosaurus

A team of scientists based at the Natural History Museum (London), have calculated the weight of “Sophie”, the beautifully preserved and nearly complete Stegosaurus fossil skeleton that has been on display at the museum since last November. This is the first set of data to be released about this, most iconic dinosaur, famous for its tiny brain and those remarkable plates running along its back. The research team headed by Dr Paul Barrett hope to release more findings throughout the year. The weight of the 5.6 metre long animal, has been calculated at 1.6 Tonnes, not a bad size for a dinosaur that was not yet fully grown when she died.

“Sophie” the Stegosaurus

“Sophie” The Stegosaurus Weighs 1,600 Kilogrammes

Right lateral View of “Sophie” the Stegosaurus (London Natural History Museum).

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Calculating the Weight of an Armoured Dinosaur

Team members at Everything Dinosaur predicted at the beginning of the year that much more information would be known about stegosaurs over the course of 2015 thanks to the palaeontologists and other scientists based at the museum. It was one of the company’s “palaeontology predictions” for this year. Ironically, despite this dinosaur’s popularity (it came in at number four in Everything Dinosaur’s most popular prehistoric animals survey), very little academic work has been carried out on Stegosaurus for more than eighty years.

Palaeontologists like Dr Charlotte Brassey, the lead author of a paper about “Sophie” and her body weight are changing all that, the doctor and her colleagues will be embarking on a series of research projects aimed at helping us to learn more about this Late Jurassic herbivore. The first research paper has just been published in the journal “Biology Letters”. Knowing the body mass of an animal is very important as it allows researchers to answer a lot more questions once this data has been established.

Estimating Body Weight

Dr Brassey explained:

“If we want to estimate how fast an animal runs, you need body mass; if you want to say something about their metabolism, you need to know their body mass. So, yes, we’re really glad that we’ve been able to get hold of this very early on, and now what I’m looking to do is begin to strap muscles on to our computer models so that we can get her walking to say something about locomotion.”

The specimen, originally from Wyoming, consists of over 360 individual bones, about 80% of this material is actually fossil, the rest of the skeleton has been built up using casts of other specimens and reconstructions of missing pieces. Prior to the skeleton being put on display, each one of these objects was scanned and mapped onto a computer programme using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) package. It was from this modelling data that an estimated body mass of 1.6 Tonnes was calculated. Although not fully grown, “Sophie” still weighed more than the fifteen players in England’s rugby team combined.

Stegosaurus

More traditional methods of calculating body weight involve measuring the circumference of the femur (thigh bone) and the humerus (upper arm bone). The ratios between these two bones and body weight in extant animals is well established, the bigger the circumference the heavier the animal is the simple rule. The new CAD modelling technique agrees with the figure for body mass calculated using the measurements from the major limb bones. The scientists are confident that their data is correct and “Sophie” weighed in at around 1.6 Tonnes. This suggests that a fully grown Stegosaurus stenops probably weighed more than three thousand kilogrammes.

A Fully Grown Stegosaurus Probably Weighed More Than Three Tonnes

A remarkable dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We look forward to learning more about stegosaurs, one question that does need answering for example, is this, should we refer to this Stegosaurus as “Sophie”? Will the scientists be able to confirm that this individual was a female?

To view the range of Natural History Museum dinosaur models in stock at Everything Dinosaur: Natural History Musuem Dinosaur Models.

3 03, 2015

A Trip to the Bathonian

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:13:22+00:00March 3rd, 2015|Categories: Educational Activities, Geology, Teaching|0 Comments

The Bathonian Stage of the Middle Jurassic

Just like a book is divided up into chapters so geological time is divided up into a series of units. There are Eons, Eras, Periods, Epochs, and faunal stages, these are the typical units of division when it comes to exploring the geological timescale. A point reinforced when a team member from Everything Dinosaur made a visit to Somerset recently.

The Geological Timescale

Descending order of size for the units of the geological timescale (deep time):

Eon for example, the Phanerozoic (visible life) from 542 mya to the present day.
Era for example, the Mesozoic, from 251 mya to 66 mya) or thereabouts.
Period, for example, the Jurassic (199 mya to 145 mya) approximately.
Epochs, for example, the Middle Jurassic (175 mya -161 mya) approximately.
Stages or Ages such as the Bathonian (167.7 mya to 164.7 mya) approximately.

We mention this, as whilst working with Year 6 children and their teachers in the Bath area, we explained that the limestone rocks in their part of the world, were used as building materials and have been quarried for centuries. Many of the buildings around the school, and the walls of the school were constructed using these limestones. These limestones are the preserved remains of the shells of ancient sea creatures, that lived during the Jurassic.

Bathonian Faunal Stage

The Bathonian faunal stage was named after the spa town of Bath and the limestone found in this part of south-western England. It was included in scientific literature as early as 1843. A number of ammonite species are recognised from this Middle Jurassic strata and they help to provide a biostratigraphic profile and assist with relative ageing of the rocks. Bathonian rocks have provided a number of dinosaur fossil remains including sauropods, armoured dinosaurs, meat-eaters and even a distant relative of the most famous dinosaur of all Tyrannosaurus rex (Proceratosaurus).

Typical Bathonian Limestones used as Local Building Materials

A faunal stage of the Middle Jurassic named after the spa town of Bath.

It was a nice moment to ask the school children did they want to see something from the Jurassic? When they all said yes, we simply asked them to look out of the window.

For replicas and models of Jurassic prehistoric animals and other extinct creatures: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

2 03, 2015

Feedback from an Everything Dinosaur Customer

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:10:09+00:00March 2nd, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Main Page, Press Releases|0 Comments

A Customer Provides Feedback to Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur prides itself in providing exceptional customer service. To date we have had posted onto our website Everything Dinosaur a total of 1,247 customer reviews, that’s a total of forty-seven reviews since we passed our landmark of 1,200 reviews on line on the 22nd December 2014.

In addition, we receive lots of emails and letters from customers telling us how pleased they are with our service and our products. We are grateful for all the feedback and support that we receive.

Everything Dinosaur Feedback

Here is a typical comment emailed to us:

“I can only express my experience with high praise as I am greatly impressed on the incredible service that I have received. Not only was the website easy to use to make an order but the continued support and peace of mind from yourself on my purchase increased my first time experience to make me want to sing your website with praise and guarantee a return visit for many more purchases.”

The customer added:

“Everything was packaged extremely well and the initial time of ordering and receiving my items was extremely satisfying. I was further increased with joy on my order to receive very interesting fact sheets on the dinosaurs I purchased which ideally creates a very pleasant sense of care and detail put into my order than just putting items into a box. I know it isn’t much but a hand written address also gives that personal touch that each of your items are well looked after and your wanting to ensure that every transaction runs smoothly. Your full team are fantastic and have made a loyal returning customer out of me.”

It is always a pleasure to hear from our customers.

Always a Pleasure to Hear from Customers

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur stated:

” We all try our very best to help customers and to provide a very high level of customer care. It is the extra touches such as taking time to hand write address labels so they are checked by a person, adding fact sheets to parcels and emailing customers to let them know that their order has been received that really sets Everything Dinosaur apart.”

Everything Dinosaur must be doing something right! This small company made up of dedicated teachers and dinosaur experts has received nearly fifty reviews on its website, twenty-one 4* or better reviews on the teaching website since the turn of the year and sixty-three “likes” on its Facebook page since the 23rd February.

1 03, 2015

The Prehistoric Animals of Jurassic World – Dilophosaurus

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:06:18+00:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Movie Reviews and Movie News|1 Comment

The Dilophosaurus Dinosaur and Jurassic Park (Jurassic World)

It’s 104 days and counting until the world premier of the new film in the “Jurassic Park” franchise “Jurassic World” and we can’t wait. Just for a bit of fun as we countdown to the June 12th premier, our dinosaur experts are commenting on the various prehistoric animals that have featured in previous movies during this dinosaur themed franchise and just might get a look in when it comes to the nasty protagonists in the fourth instalment “Jurassic World”.

Dilophosaurus

Second in this occasional series, one of the most controversial dinosaur portrayals in cinema history, a “spitter” otherwise known as Dilophosaurus. The theropod dinosaur known as Dilophosaurus may be familiar to movie goers because of its appearance in the first Jurassic Park film (1993), but sadly, this dinosaur was not portrayed very accurately. A number of species have been named and fossils ascribed to this genus have been found in the western United States and China. With one species, Dilophosaurus wetherilli, fossils of which come from Arizona, estimated to have measured in excess of six metres, this dinosaur was one of the largest predators around in the Early Jurassic.

However, in the film a much smaller dinosaur was depicted, the movie version was only about three metres long. The size of the dinosaur has been explained by a number of commentators who have suggested that the Dilophosaurus featured in the first of the franchise was merely a baby.

The Dilophosaurus from the Film (Jurassic Park) 1993

A relatively small animal was depicted.

Picture credit: Universal Pictures

The Dinosaurs of “Jurassic World”

This meat-eating dinosaur was responsible for the death of one of the villains of the film, when Dennis Nedry, (played by Wayne Knight), the computer programmer responsible for cutting the power to the Park was attacked and eaten. The “Jurassic Park” Dilophosaurus (see picture above), did have those famous thin, double crests running across the top of its snout. Dilophosaurus means “double crested lizard”, quite what purpose those crests served remains unknown. Indeed, the crests have never been found attached to the skull, it is not certain that the bony crests were on the head, although the restoration in which the crests run parallel to each other along the snout does seem to be the most convincing.

The Jurassic Park Dilophosaurus had a neck frill and a very bright and colourful one at that. This neck frill only became obvious immediately prior to the dinosaur attacking. There is no fossil evidence to suggest that Dilophosaurus, or indeed any theropod dinosaur had such a feature, but as most palaeontologists believe that the Dinosauria all had excellent colour vision, the film makers can at least be assured that the flashy red and yellow markings would have been noticed should “Jurassic Park” have made its debut sometime in the Mesozoic.

ITOY Studio Dilophosaurus

ITOY Studio have developed a beautiful model of a Dilophosaurus as portrayed in the film: ITOY Studio dinosaurs.

In the Film Dilophosaurus Had a Brightly Coloured Neck Frill

As depicted in the "Jurassic Park" film with a neck frill.

As depicted in “Jurassic Park” with a neck frill.

Picture credit: Universal Pictures

The “Spitters” in Jurassic Park

The name “spitter” is a reference to another rather misleading feature of the Dilophosaurus from the film. In order to overpower its victim, this dinosaur spat venom into the eyes of its potential prey. Poor Dennis Nerdy, he did not see his end coming as he had been temporarily blended by the spitting dilophosaur.

Once again, there is no fossil evidence to support the idea that this dinosaur was venomous. Dinosaurs that had venom are a figment of Michael Crichton’s imagination, the author of the original book. Or are they? Certainly, there is no evidence to suggest that a coelophysid such as Dilophosaurus was the dinosaur equivalent of a spitting cobra, but back in December 2009, Everything Dinosaur team members wrote an article about one of the theories associated with Sinornithosaurus from the Early Cretaceous of China.

A Light, Thin Skull

The light, thin skull of this small dinosaur did not seem very well suited to tackling struggling prey. Then it was noticed that some of the larger teeth in the upper jaw and strange grooves running down them. Could these teeth have evolved into fangs, linked to a venom sack, so that when Sinornithosaurus bit into a potential meal, poison ran down the tooth groves into the poor, soon to be poisoned victim?

To read more about the research into this Chinese dinosaur: Evidence for a Venomous Dinosaur?

The problem with venom glands is that being made of soft tissue, it is highly unlikely that these organs would survive the fossilisation process. Given the very poor preservation of majority of the Dilophosaurus material from the United States, it can be stated with a degree of confidence that a venomous Dilophosaurus cannot be ruled out, however, it cannot be ruled in either.

A number of Dilophosaurus dinosaur models have been produced. CollectA made a not-to-scale replica, one of their early models in the highly successful “Prehistoric Life” model series. More recently, Safari Ltd introduced a Dilophosaurus into the “Wild Safari Dinos” model range.

To view the Safari Ltd range of prehistoric animal models available from Everything Dinosaur: Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Prehistoric World.

The Wild Safari Dinos Dilophosaurus Dinosaur Model

Dilophosaurus dinosaur model.

An Agile, Cursorial Dinosaur

The model depicts an agile, cursorial dinosaur with, of course very colourful head crests. Papo, the French model manufacturer chose to make their Dilophosaurus more robust, giving the impression of a powerful hunter.

The Papo Dilophosaurus Dinosaur Model

Fossils found 60 years ago helped to describe Dilophosaurus.

It seems that just like in the movies, model making companies can come up with different interpretations when it comes to known fossil material.

Will Dilophosaurus Feature in Jurassic World?

Will there be Dilophosaurus in Jurassic World? Who knows? However, on the island where the film is set, (Isla Nublar), the northernmost area is a “no go zone” for park visitors. It is segregated from the theme park. Perhaps this is the area of the island where some dinosaurs are allowed to roam free and perhaps, just perhaps, this is the part of the island in which the dilophosaurs from the first movie were allowed to grow up.

We shall have to wait and see…

1 03, 2015

A Customer Review of the Schleich Kentrosaurus

By Mike|2023-03-24T17:01:17+00:00March 1st, 2015|Categories: Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur Products, Product Reviews|0 Comments

Latest Customer Review of the Schleich Kentrosaurus Dinosaur Model

At Everything Dinosaur we get lots of customer comments and feedback including views on the latest prehistoric model purchases made by dinosaur fans and collectors. Here is a review we have received about the Schleich Kentrosaurus, a very colourful and detailed replica introduced by Schleich along with their Anhanguera pterosaur replica. There are more new releases due from Schleich towards the middle of the year including a fantastic Giganotosaurus dinosaur figure.

Schleich Kentrosaurus

The Beautiful Schleich Kentrosaurus Dinosaur Model (World of History)

Available from Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Here is the Customer Review

This is great model. The detail and accuracy rivals Papo models. Probably the best detailing and realism Schleich have come up with to date. The dynamic pose gives a sense of movement and great if you want to display him interacting with another dino model. If you are a collector I suggest you get this one as we might just be seeing the first in a line of superior sculpting from Schleich. He may be “spikey” but there are no hard or sharp ends so he should be quite safe for a child.

We at Everything Dinosaur welcome the opinions and views of our customers. It is always a pleasure to hear from our customers.

To view the superb, Schleich World of History dinosaur and prehistoric animal models: Schleich World of History Prehistoric Animal Models.

What about the service received from Everything Dinosaur? The reviewer went onto add:

“As usual friendly, helpful service from Everything Dinosaur. Posted the day after ordering and arrived the following day. I always seem to get my orders from Everything Dinosaur within 48 hours of ordering …fantastic!”

28 02, 2015

EYFS at Purston Infant School Learn All About Dinosaurs

By Mike|2023-03-24T16:01:24+00:00February 28th, 2015|Categories: Educational Activities, Teaching|0 Comments

Foundation Unit Studies Dinosaurs

It was an exciting Friday for the children at the Foundation Unit at Purston Infant School (West Yorkshire) as yesterday, they had a visit from Everything Dinosaur to help them learn all about dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. The two classes of Lower Foundation Stage along with the two classes of Upper Foundation Stage have been learning about dinosaurs and there was lots of colourful artwork on display around the classrooms.

One of the Colourful Dinosaur Inspired Displays at the School

Colourful prehistoric animals. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Foundation Unit Studies Dinosaurs

The children have two beautiful, giant dinosaur eggs to look after. Both the eggs were made from paper mache. In discussion, with the teaching team we suggested that an extension activity could involve the children thinking about what sort of animals lay eggs/do not lay eggs.

Perhaps a classroom display could be created with the children being encouraged to list the types of animals they know that lay eggs. Can the children sort and group the animals that they have thought of? For example, those with scales, those with feathers, those that can fly etc. What might a dinosaur nest be made off? Can the children sort out different types of material and work out which materials would be good/would not be good to line a nest for a dinosaur egg?

A Giant Dinosaur Egg in a Classroom

A big, blue dinosaur egg. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A Dinosaur Workshop

Under the enthusiastic tutelage of the teachers and their support staff the children were certainly enjoying this term topic and there was lots of evidence on display of the children enjoying a broad based, varied activity topic. The Lower Foundation Stage children had a wonderful sensory bin filled with sand and small stones as well as dinosaur skeletons for them to explore. In addition, dinosaur models had been made using all sorts of household odds and ends, helping the children to learn about the properties of different materials.

The older children in the two Upper Foundation Stage classes (Monkeys 1 and Monkeys 2) had been busy painting their favourite dinosaurs and there was lots of expressive artwork posted up around the classroom as well as plenty of evidence of vocabulary development.

Fossil Themed Counting Activities

During the dinosaur workshops with the children, our dinosaur expert encouraged the children’s confidence with counting by introducing simple dinosaur fossil themed counting activities all developed with the aim of helping the budding young palaeontologists to improve their confidence in counting and their understanding of numbers.

Enabling Children to Explore and Play Using a Wide Range of Media

Using different media, important in learning and development. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Our dinosaur expert, promised to email over some more extension resources to help support the scheme of work prepared by the dedicated teaching team, one of whom stated “the children were very responsive and enjoyed looking at all the resources”.

To view the range of prehistoric animal toys and games stocked by Everything Dinosaur: Dinosaur Toys and Gifts.

27 02, 2015

EYFS Children at Purston Infants School Learn About Dinosaurs

By Mike|2023-03-24T15:56:48+00:00February 27th, 2015|Categories: Early Years Foundation Reception|Comments Off on EYFS Children at Purston Infants School Learn About Dinosaurs

EYFS Learn About Dinosaurs

Children in the Foundation Unit at Purston Infants School (West Yorkshire), have been learning all about dinosaurs this term. The enthusiastic teaching team have been busy arranging lots of imaginative activities for the children in Lower Foundation Stage, including a super sensory bin full of pebbles and sand plus little plastic dinosaur skeletons for the children to explore.

Children Learn About Dinosaurs

Colourful prehistoric animals.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

EYFS Learn About Dinosaurs

The fossil expert who visited the school to conduct dinosaur workshops with the children in the Foundation Unit, knows the skeleton models very well. These little plastic skeletons are great for creative, imaginative play and these skeletons featured in a picture project involving Everything Dinosaur who were challenged to create a “dinosaur bone bed”.

An Imaginary Dinosaur Bone Bed

A dinosaur sensory play area for the children. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Sets

The plastic dinosaur sets that Everything Dinosaur supplies features twelve different prehistoric animals, children really enjoyed searching for their very own dinosaur skeletons.

To see the range of teaching resources supplied by Everything Dinosaur, including replicas of iconic fossil animals: Educational, Dinosaur Themed Toys and Games.

Both the Lower Foundation Stage and the Upper Foundation Stage classrooms had lots of dinosaur displays. Some children had even made models of prehistoric animals and there were some lovely dinosaur paintings posted up on the walls.

Colourful Dinosaur Inspired Pictures

A decorative dinosaur wall display spotted at the school helping EYFS to learn about dinosaurs. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Budding Palaeontologists

The eager, budding young palaeontologists were keen to demonstrate their knowledge telling our expert all about carnivores and herbivores (well done to Paddy for a fantastic explanation). The younger children learned that fossils tend to feel cold and that some fossils are small and light, whilst other fossils particularly those of dinosaurs tend to be very big or even “massive” as one child exclaimed as our dinosaur expert encouraged the children to think of “wow words” to describe dinosaurs.

Praising the Everything Dinosaur team member who conducted the workshops, one of the teacher’s stated: “An enjoyable experience, the children were very responsive and enjoyed looking at the resources.”