C Curriculum Explorer
Science·Dinosaurs & Paleontology·conceptual

Fossils as Evidence

Analyse and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of organisms and environments that existed long ago

Suggested ages 8–11

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Evidence of understanding

  • Explain that fossils are preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived long ago
  • Use fossil evidence to make inferences about past organisms and their environments
  • Describe how comparing fossils with living organisms helps us understand how life has changed

Assessment prompt

If Fossils as Evidence sees a fossil of a fish in a rock on a hillside, can they explain that the area must have been underwater millions of years ago?

Standards alignment

3-LS4-1US · ngss-k5

3-LS4-1

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5

Y6.Sci.EI.1GB · uk-nc-2013

Living things change over time and fossils

The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 2