A 30-Lesson Reading and Discovery Series
For more than 160 million years, dinosaurs ruled the land. These remarkable animals lived during a time when the continents were arranged differently, climates were warmer, and the Earth looked very different from today. Their fossils provide scientists with clues about how life evolved, how ecosystems functioned in the distant past, and how dramatic changes can reshape life on Earth.
In this series, students will step into the role of paleontologists—scientists who study ancient life through fossils. They will learn how dinosaurs lived, how scientists reconstruct extinct animals from fossil evidence, and how modern technology is revealing new discoveries about these ancient creatures.
The course also explores one of science’s greatest mysteries: why dinosaurs disappeared, and why some species survived and evolved into modern birds.
By the end of this series, the student will be able to:
• Define what makes a dinosaur scientifically distinct from other reptiles
• Identify the major groups of dinosaurs and their characteristics
• Describe the three time periods of the dinosaur age
• Understand how fossils form and how scientists discover them
• Explain how paleontologists reconstruct dinosaur behavior and biology
• Describe dinosaur ecosystems and food webs
• Compare different extinction theories
• Understand the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds
• Develop curiosity about unanswered questions in paleontology
Students begin by learning how scientists classify dinosaurs and place them in Earth’s history.
Topics include:
The definition of a dinosaur
The three major dinosaur groups
The Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods
Earth during the time of Pangaea
Dinosaurs vs. other prehistoric reptiles
The incredible sizes and shapes of dinosaurs
Students explore how dinosaurs lived within complex ecosystems.
Topics include:
Dinosaur habitats and environments
Herbivorous dinosaurs
Carnivorous dinosaurs
Defensive adaptations such as horns and armor
Feathers and the link to birds
Nests, eggs, and dinosaur parenting
Students learn how scientists uncover evidence of prehistoric life.
Topics include:
How fossils form
Fossil excavation and fieldwork
Reconstructing skeletons
Determining dinosaur color and appearance
Dinosaur footprints and trackways
Technology used in modern paleontology
Students investigate how dinosaurs lived, moved, and behaved.
Topics include:
Warm-blooded vs cold-blooded dinosaurs
How dinosaurs walked and ran
Dinosaur intelligence
Communication and sounds
Migration and social behavior
Fossil evidence of injuries and disease
Students conclude the series by examining the end of the dinosaur age and what it teaches us about Earth.
Topics include:
The asteroid impact theory
Massive volcanic eruptions
Climate change and environmental shifts
Why birds survived
Dinosaur discoveries in South America
Future discoveries in paleontology
This learning adventure takes students on a journey into the world of dinosaurs, exploring their lives and the evidence they left behind. The study of dinosaurs fosters critical thinking and offers insights into Earth’s historical changes, helping us address issues like climate change. It encourages curiosity and can inspire futures in various scientific fields.
Dinosaurs, a distinct group of reptiles from the Mesozoic Era, are characterized by their legs positioned directly beneath their bodies. Unlike flying and sea reptiles, which are often mistakenly called dinosaurs, true dinosaurs include species like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. Ongoing paleontological studies continue to uncover new dinosaur fossils, enhancing our understanding of these ancient creatures and their evolutionary significance.
Dinosaurs are categorized into three main groups: theropods, sauropods, and ornithischians, aiding in understanding their evolution and adaptations. Theropods include meat-eaters like Tyrannosaurus rex, sauropods are large plant eaters like Brachiosaurus, and ornithischians are characterized by beak-like structures. Ongoing fossil studies deepen insights into their evolutionary history.
Dinosaurs thrived during the Mesozoic Era, which lasted approximately 186 million years and includes the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Initially small in the Triassic, dinosaurs grew larger and more diverse in the Jurassic and Cretaceous, thriving amidst changing climates and landscapes until an asteroid impact led to their extinction around 66 million years ago.