Grade Level(s): K – 4

                                                Subject(s):   Science, Art, English Language Arts, Music, Computer Technology

                                                Learner Outcomes:

                                                    * List characteristics of the dinosaur
                                                    * Distinguish between dinosaur truths and myths
                                                    * Distinguish dinosaurs from other prehistoric creatures
                                                    * Encourage the investigation of dinosaurs through fiction and non-fiction
                                                    * Use Internet resources to explore the dinosaur topic
 

                                                Time Frame: Three 45 minute sessions

                                                Materials: Accelerated Reader books, dinosaur non-fiction books, Magic School Bus Video

                                                Technological Tools/Courseware:  Internet, data projector, scanner, Accelerated Reader
                                                                                                     Program

                                                Teacher Notes: TAUP (Technology Acceptable User Policy)

                                                 Procedures:
                                                      * Elicit the children's present knowledge of dinosaurs.  Help them understand that
                                                         different dinosaurs lived on the earth at different times.
                                                      * Introduce the lesson by reading a non-fiction book, such as The Day of the Dinosaur
                                                         by Stan and Jan Berenstain or Dinosaur Days by Joyce Milton.  After reading,
                                                         ask the students to describe a dinosaur.
                                                      * Next, the students can draw and color a dinosaur the way they the think dinosaurs
                                                         looked.  They then share these drawings with the class and explain why the selected
                                                         colors and patterns were chosen.  Art may be scanned and submitted to Dino Don for
                                                         on-line publication.
                                                      * View the video "The Magic School Bus Explores In the Age of the Dinosaurs."
                                                         Class discussion on the following information presented in video:
                                                                  1) All dinosaurs lived in a single era - the Mesozoic era.  None lived before it.
                                                                      None lived after it.
                                                                  2) Dinosaurs lived on land.  They didn't fly, as reptiles called pterosaurs did.
                                                                       Nor did they live in the sea, as reptiles called plesiosaurs did.
                                                                  3) Dinosaurs were reptiles.  Living reptiles have scales, usually
                                                                       lay eggs, and are cold-blooded (need the sun to warm their bodies).
                                                                  4) Dinosaurs had many non-reptilian features.  Some were probably
                                                                      warm-blooded.  Their legs extended directly below the hips like an ostrich's
                                                                      legs.  (Living reptile legs are splayed to the sides).  Other subtle differences
                                                                      make dinosaurs seem less like reptiles and more like birds.  In fact, modern
                                                                      birds are descendants of dinosaurs.
                                                      * Use data projector and Internet to take students to site Zoom Dinosaurs and
                                                      Dinosaur Valley to futher explore the question "What are Dinosaurs?".
                                                      * With teacher help, students will classify the following information about
                                                         dinosaurs as Fact or Fiction:
                                                                      Dinosaurs were reptiles.
                                                                      Some dinosaurs could fly.
                                                                      Some dinosaurs lived in the water.
                                                                      Some dinosaurs were warm blooded.
                                                                      Dinosaur legs are straight and upright.
                                                                      All dinosaurs were large.
                                                                      Dinosaurs laid eggs with hard shells.
                                                                      Most dinosaurs were meat eaters.
                                                                      All dinosaurs walked on four legs.
                                                                      Dinosaurs were green.
                                                                      Some dinosaurs had feathers.
                                                                      All dinosaurs lived in herds.

                                                 Modifications:
                                                    * The teacher should modify the lesson as necessary to meet the students' IEP.
                                                    * Adapt according to grade level.

                                                 Enrichment Activities:
                                                    * Students independently read Accelerated Reader books about dinosaurs.  Upon
                                                      completion of the books, computerized comprehension tests will be taken.
                                                    * Read and Do Activities for Derek the Knitting Dinosaur  by Mary Blackwood.
                                                    * Use new understanding about dinosaurs to write their own poems.
                                                    * Students can participate in Choral Speaking and Role Playing activities by visiting
                                                    Alphabet Soup.
                                                    * Students can sing along with I Want To Be A Dinosaur .
                                                    * Students can participate in the following action poem.

                                                                                Pretend by Nancy Klein
                                                                        Spread your arms way out wide.
                                                                           Fly like a pteranodon, soar and glide.
                                                                           Bend to the floor, head down low,
                                                                           Move like Stegosaurus, long ago.
                                                                           Reach up tall, try to be
                                                                           As tall as Apatosaurus eating on a tree.
                                                                           Use your claws to grumble and growl
                                                                           Just like Tyrannosaurus on the prowl.

                                                Evaluation/Assessment:
                                                    *  Take a Discovery Room Online quiz to filter out dinosaur fakes.
                                                    *  Name that dinosaur (Easy test)
                                                    *  Name that dinosaur (Difficult test)

                                               West Virginia Instructional Goals and Objectives:
                                                    *  Science - K.62, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5
                                                    *  Art - K.15, 1.14, 2.13, 3.6, 4.6
                                                    *  Language Arts - K.1, K.2, 1.1, 2.5, 3.7, 4.12
                                                    *  Music - K.2, 1.5, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1
                                                    *  Computer Technology - K.64, 1.28, 2.65, 3.49, 4.93

                                                 National Standards
 

References:

                                                 Date Created: March 23, 1999
 
 

                                                 Created By: Divide Elementary, Fayette County

                                                    Lisa Andrews, Kathy Flint, Cheryl Smailes