132 The History of the Earth: Supplemental Guide 7 | Fossils
parchment, or waxed paper and a wire rack. Students will enjoy
pressing toy insects, leaves, shells, or stones into the dough to
create imprints. Note: Be sure to check with your school’s policy
regarding food distribution and allergies.
Find a trade book about fossils to read-aloud to the class.
Notes to Teacher
Remind students that Gerry the Geologist studies non-living
things that are related to the history of the earth: rocks, minerals,
volcanoes, and geysers. Pam the Paleontologist studies living
things that were living on the earth many years ago. Plants and
animals are living things. Fossils are preserved examples of those
living things that provide clues to what life was like on earth during
that period of time.
When creating the Fossil Timeline during the read-aloud, be sure
to explain to students that paleontologists determine when the
animals and plants lived by looking at the rock layer in which that
plant or animal fossil was found.