Grade Level(s): K - 4

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

Learner Outcomes:
        *  Define terms extinctand theory
        *  Understand that dinosaurs are now extinct
        *  List and describe different theories about dinosaur extinction
        *  Encourage the investigation of dinosaurs through fiction and non-fiction
        *  Use Internet as a research tool

Time:  Three forty-five minute periods

Materials: Accelerated Reader dinosaur books, Steck-Vaughn dinosaur books

Technology Tools/Courseware: Internet, Accelerated Reader progarm, Creative Writer Software program

Teacher Notes: AUP (Acceptable User Policy)

Procedures:
        *  Ask the students if they have ever seen a real dinosaur.  Why not?  Introduce the term extinct and explain that the
            dinosaurs no longer exist. Tell them that no one really knows what happened to the dinosaurs, but there are
            several theories about what happened to them.  Explain that a theory is like a guess, but it is a guess based on
            information or on the evidence that is available.  "What evidence do we have that dinosaurs once existed'?  Students
            should respond with the appropriate answer fossils.  In our lesson today, we will study some of these theories.
       *   Read the Steck-Vaughn book The Dinosaurs' Last Days or The Monsters Who Died by Vicki Cobb, which examines
            various scientific theories about extinction involving floods, giant meteorites, cold weather, disease and simultaneous
            volcanic eruptions.
       *  Explain that the period of  time when the dinosaurs lived is called the Mesozoic Era.  See a picture and read
            about when the dinosaurs ruled the earth at Dinosaur/Extinction: Mesozoic Era. Have the students
            compare how the earth looked then with the way it looks today. Ask the students if the change in the earth could
            possibly have anything to do with the dinosaurs' disappearance. Explain that this is one of the theories scientists
            have given for the extinction of dinosaurs.
       *  Divide students into small cooperative learning groups, each with a different theory of extinction.  Each group will
           use the Internet and other resources to research a particular theory.  Students will use the information obtained to
           write a simple research paper.  They will describe the theory and explain the effect it would have had on the
           dinosaurs.
Giant Impact TheoryCosmic Rays

VolcanoesWeather Change
 

Eggs Eaten by Enemies Oribital Changes

       *  Other sites which may be helpful include:  Dinosaurs Extinction and Classrooms of the Future.
       *  Each group leader will present and defend their theory of extinciton.. Following the presentation each student will
           decide which theory is the most likely to have happened.  Students will be asked, "What do you think happened to the
           dinosaurs?" Read the on-line story  "What Happened to All the Dinosaurs? And, what if they all came back". Many
           humorous and fantastic reasons are given for the dinosaurs' disappearance
       *  Have the students to imagine that the dinosaurs have come back. Ask them to pretend they want a dinosaur for a
           pet.  Ask them to identify the dinosaur they want and tell how they would capture and tame it. Use the Creative Writer
           Software program to write and illustrate these original stories. Stories may be submitted to Dino-Mania for on-line
           publication.

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

Enrichment Activities:
    * Read and Do activities for What Happened to Patrick's Dinosaur?
    * Art - Create diorama in a shoebox which shows life in the Mesozoic Era.

National Standards