What is Fossilization?
Notes for the leader/teacher: We recommend that you say as little as possible in each lesson, giving your students opportunities to think and express their own ideas. Dialogue is included in bold and italics. Things you would do during the lesson are in CAPITAL LETTERS. Goal: To experience how fossils are formed Materials: • An inexpensive fossil if you have one. • Shrimp shell (A workable fossil substitute) • Escargot shell (A workable fossil substitute) • Plaster of Paris • Pitcher of water • Sifter • Fine sand- must be fine enough to go through the sifter • Waterproof container-small disposable aluminum baking pans work well. • Small plastic or rubber dinosaur This lesson plan has 2 parts. For part 2 click on the link at the bottom of the page that reads fossilization Lesson Plan Part 2; Fossil Excavation. Part 1; The Process of Fossilization Before the lesson: Mix a small amount of fine sand with the plaster of Paris. DO NOT ADD WATER. Put about a third of the dry mixture in a wate
