Science·Dinosaurs & Paleontology·conceptual
Fossils Reveal Ancient Environments
Understand that fossils tell us not only about ancient animals but also about ancient environments — for example, marine fossils found on a mountaintop show that area was once underwater
Suggested ages 7–9
Learning journey
Your child is becoming a young paleontologist — learning how fossils form, what they tell us about ancient life, and discovering fascinating facts about dinosaurs and the scientists who study them.
Evidence of understanding
- Give an example of a fossil that reveals a past environment different from today's
- Explain that finding marine fossils inland means that area was once covered by sea
- State that plant fossils can show whether an area was once a forest, desert, or swamp
Assessment prompt
If Fossils Reveal Ancient Environments heard that seashell fossils were found on a mountain, could they explain what that tells us about what the area used to be like?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.