RAPTOR ROCKS

WHAT YOU NEED

1 Fossil Block1 Chisel1 Mallet
2 Safety Goggles1 Brush1 Nail
Newspaper

BACKGROUND

Sharp claws! Big fangs! Maybe you can become a famous paleontologist by finding a new species of dinosaur.

You will be chipping away rock to find the "fossils" inside. Rock chips may get in unprotected eyes so ALWAYS wear your safety goggles.

Start at the edge and work in. Go slowly or you may crack your fossils.

Paleontologists rarely find complete skeletons. They, like you, need to use their knowledge of other animals, hints about the environment, and their imaginations to reconstruct the animal.

WHAT YOU DO

1. Put on your goggles. Cover your desk with a thick layer of newspaper.

2. Chip out your fossils. Carefully record the position of each fossil as you find it since this may be a valuable clue. Use the back of this sheet.

3. Once everyone on your team is done, put all of the fossils you found together and have a good look. Discuss what each could be with your team.

4. Look at the fossils your team has found. Answer these questions with your team. Be sure to explain WHY you choose each answer.

Is your animal an herbivore or a carnivore?

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Did it live on land or water?

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How big was it?

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5. Now give your animal's species a name and draw a picture of it might have looked like.

Animal Species Name: _____________________________________