Fossil Identification and Research Unit

Fossil Identification and Research Unit

MidnightStar is introducing a new unit on fossils! Teaching geology would not be complete without including the study of fossils because studying them offers insights into ancient ecosystems and the history of life on Earth.  Additionally, students often have an innate interest in fossils and are typically openly excited to learn more about them.  If you ask students if they have ever found a fossil themselves, they enthusiastically want to tell you the story about when and where they were on the day of the discovery, but often cannot tell you what type of fossil they found. This unit is designed to teach students the most common types of fossils they might find.  Some of the most common ones are discussed below.

 

1. **Trilobites**:

– Look for a segmented exoskeleton with a central line dividing the body into symmetrical halves. Trilobites often resemble modern-day horseshoe crabs.

– Check for the presence of cephalon (head), thorax (mid-section), and pygidium (tail). Note the number and arrangement of segments, as well as the presence of spines or other ornamentation.

– Trilobites are commonly found in marine sediments, especially those from the Paleozoic era. Look for them in shale, limestone, and sandstone formations.

 

2. **Brachiopods**:

– Brachiopods have two shells (valves) that are hinged at one end, similar to clams, but with a different internal structure.

– Examine the shape, size, and symmetry of the shells. Note any ribbing, ornamentation, or growth lines on the surface.

– Brachiopods are often found in marine sedimentary rocks, particularly limestone and shale, from the Cambrian period to the present day.

 

3. **Crinoids**:

– Crinoids, also known as sea lilies or feather stars, have a distinctive star-shaped body with feathery arms attached to a stalk (column) anchored to the seafloor.

– Look for fragments of columns (sections of the stem) or plates from the calyx (the body containing the mouth and organs).

– Crinoids are typically found in marine limestone and shale deposits, especially from the Paleozoic era. They may also be preserved as fossils in chert or flint nodules.

 

Identifying fossils of trilobites, brachiopods, and crinoids requires a nuanced understanding of their distinctive characteristics and the geological environments where they are typically found.  This unit will give your students the basic information they will need to successfully identify several types of basic fossils.

 

This fossil unit is designed to give teachers significant flexibility in designing lessons that will meet their students’ needs.  The following is included in this unit:

• Detailed teacher notes
• Instructional notes presentation
• Interactive note guide with answer key
• 3-column notes (smaller version of fossil notebook)
• Fossil notebook (extended version)
• Station lab set up (for classrooms without student sets of fossils.
• Lab practical test questions (PowerPoint file for editability)
• Video instructions/hints for lesson set up (video preview)

Details about each lesson is provided in the table below, which is included in the teacher notes section of this product.

 

Lesson Name	Duration (Approximate)	Purpose/Description	Supplies Needed
Fossil Identification Lab	30 minutes	·         Inquiry-based introduction ·         Group activity (at the desk)	·         Class sets of fossil samples (real or models) ·         Instructions for students (digital) ·         Answer page for student groups
Fossil Identification Station Lab	30-45 minutes	·         Inquiry-based introduction ·         Group activity (at stations)	·         Single samples of fossils set up at stations ·         Answer page copies for students ·         Printed pages for stations
“A Golden Guide to Fossils” Treasure Hunt   Note: This lesson is designed for this specific book.	30-45 minutes	·         Introduction to using “A Golden Guide to Fossils” book. ·         Introducing students to the complexity of fossil types found on Earth.   Great substitute lesson plan.	·         Set of “A Golden Guide to Fossils” books. (at least 1 book for every pair of students) https://www.wardsci.com/store/product?keyword=fossil%20book ·         Printed answer pages for each student.
Direct Instruction Notes and Note Guide	30-45 minutes	Delivery of specific information about common fossils.	·         Slide presentation ·         Printed note guides for students ·         Optional: Large fossil samples for display.  Serves as a hook.
One-Pager Project	30-45 minutes	Research a fossil-rich rock layer. Serves as a hook, allows for creativity and student choice.	·         https://geology.com/articles/green-river-fossils/fish-fossils.shtml ·         Blank printer paper, coloring pencils OR digital creation.
3-Column Fossil Notes	1 hour	Independent or small group student research activity on fossils	·         Set of “A Golden Guide to Fossils” books. (at least 1 book for every pair of students). OR ·         Computers/cell phones with search engine capability ·         Printed 3-column notes ·         Optional: Copies of images, scissors and glue
Fossil Notebook	3 hours	Extended independent research project on fossils	·         Set of “A Golden Guide to Fossils” books. (at least 1 book for every pair of students). OR ·         Computers/cell phones with search engine capability ·         Printed notebook pages and images for students
Fossil Review Worksheet	15 minutes	Simple review activity before a test or quiz	·         Copies for student use ·         Answer key
Lab Practical Test	1 hour	Summative assessment	·         Fossil sample for each station ·         Printed questions for each station ·         Blank printer paper to place over each sample for test integrity.

 

As in every unit or activity designed by MidnightStar, each activity in this unit has been used and tweaked over many years of teaching in the high school science classroom.  Be sure to watch the video showing a student example of the “fossil notebook” assignment for details about this activity.