Exploring Fossils: Clues from the Past #1

Dig into the past with this worksheet all about fossils! Young paleontologists will begin by reading a brief introduction to the two main types of fossils. Then, students are presented with three different fossils: an ammonite shell, an Acrocanthosaurus footprint, and a Ginkgo leaf. Learners will study each image and answer questions about what the fossil might be and where it originated. Students will then use their answers to respond to a written question about the fossils’ environments.

This investigative activity is a great way for third graders to practice making observations and forming evidence-based inferences. Learners must study the details of each fossil to determine what each fossil is and where it came from. After completing the worksheet, teachers can extend the learning by opening discussions about each fossil.

This worksheet is the first in a set all about fossils. Check out the other worksheets in this set here: Exploring Fossils: Clues From the Past.