1. Fossils: What are They? A WebQuest for 3rd Grade Science
Designed by Ms. Kim Peterson

2. Follow the links to find your way through the Dino Dig!
Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Follow the links to find your way through the Dino Dig!

3. Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Introduction
Today we will be learning about fossils. What are they? Where did they come from? How are they formed?
Well…you are about to find out! Fasten your seat belts and be prepared to go waaay back in time!

4. Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Task
In your group, you will research some aspect of fossils so that you become an expert and can teach the class.
You will work to find answers to questions about your topic using this WebQuest as a guide.

5. Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Your Journey…
You have been given a group name, follow the links to your group’s quest and be prepared to dig up some G-R-R-EAT! Information!
The Press
The Excavators
The Molds
The Casts
The Traces

6. Welcome Press! Welcome group members! Someone in your group will be:
The navigator – in control of computer
The note-taker – takes notes
The presenter – will present information to the class
The artist – will be in charge of some illustration to help the class understand.
Follow the fossil to your information!

7. What is a fossil?

8. How is a fossil formed?

9. What kind of rock is best for fossil formation?

10. Welcome Excavators! Welcome group members!
Someone in your group will be:
The navigator – in control of computer
The note-taker – takes notes
The presenter – will present information to the class
The artist – will be in charge of some illustration to help the class understand.
Follow the fossil to find your
information!

11. How are fossils found?

12. What tools do Paleontologists use?

13. How do you excavate a fossil?

14. Welcome Molds! Welcome group members! Someone in your group will be:
The navigator – in control of computer
The note-taker – takes notes
The presenter – will present information to the class
The artist – will be in charge of some illustration to help the class understand.
Follow the Quest to find your information!

15. What is a mold fossil?

16. How is a mold fossil formed?

17. What are some examples of mold fossils?

18. Welcome Casts! Welcome group members! Someone in your group will be:
The navigator – in control of computer
The note-taker – takes notes
The presenter – will present information to the class
The artist – will be in charge of some illustration to help the class understand.
Follow the Quest to find your information!

19. What is a cast fossil?

20. How is a cast fossil formed?

21. Welcome Traces! Welcome group members! Someone in your group will be:
The navigator – in control of computer
The note-taker – takes notes
The presenter – will present information to the class
The artist – will be in charge of some illustration to help the class understand.
Follow the Quest to find your information!

22. What is a trace fossil?

23. How is a trace fossil formed?

24. What are examples of trace fossils?

25. Evaluation Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits
Criteria 4 3 2 1
Group Collaboration
Students worked well together with each student taking responsibility for their part of the assignment.
Students worked well together within their group with all parts of the project being completed
Students had difficulty working in a group, most of the project was complete.
Students did not work well together – two or fewer students completed most of the work.
Poster
Poster is correctly titled, all information is correct, and it is neatly presented.
Most of the information is correct, the poster is neat.
Poster is not neatly presented. Some of the information is incorrect.
Most or all of the information is incorrect. Poster is not neat and is confusing.
Grammar and Mechanics
Wording and grammar are correct and all grade level appropriate words are spelled correctly.
Most of the grammar is correct and most of the grade level appropriate spelling is correct.
Some of the grammar is correct and several of the grade level appropriate words are misspelled.
Most of the grammar is incorrect and many words are misspelled. No evidence of proofreading.
Presentation
Information is clearly presented.
Information is clearly presented with few problems.
Information is presented, though not clearly.
Information is incorrect or inaudible. No evidence of comprehension of topic.
Total Points

26. Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits
Conclusion
Now that you have all of the information you will need, your group should create a poster to present all of the information to the class.
Be sure that your poster is clear, neat and correct.
Don’t forget – Paleontologists Proofread!

27. Georgia Performance Standards
S3E2. Students will investigate fossils as evidence of organisms that lived long ago.
a. Investigate fossils by observing authentic fossils or models of fossils or view information resources about fossils as evidence of organisms that lived long ago.
b. Describe how a fossil is formed.

28. Credits Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Creditsml
Big/GroupB/JobPages/Paleontologist/BPaleontologist.html

29. Credits
es2901/es2901page01.cfm?chapter_no=29
d%20and%20Cast%20Fossils.htm
6018Reader.pdf
PT18&lpg=RA1- PT18&dq=mold+fossils+examples&source=web&ots=xizV_jmKuN&sig=z_ rllZrOAfZO1dJUbHKnewleZzY