Science·Dinosaurs & Paleontology·representational
Reading Cladograms
Read and create simple cladograms (branching diagrams) that show how groups of dinosaurs are related based on shared features, understanding that species sharing more features are more closely related
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is exploring how scientists study dinosaurs through fossils — learning about dinosaur classification, evolution into birds, extinction events, and how paleontologists uncover and interpret evidence from millions of years ago.
Evidence of understanding
- Explain that a cladogram shows evolutionary relationships based on shared features
- Read a simple cladogram to identify which two dinosaurs share the most recent common ancestor
- Add a new species to a partially completed cladogram based on its listed features
Assessment prompt
If Reading Cladograms saw a branching tree diagram showing dinosaur relationships, could they explain which dinosaurs are most closely related by looking at where the branches split?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.