Exploring Fossils: Clues from the Past #2

Uncover secrets of the past with this worksheet about fossils! To start, learners will read a short introduction to the types of fossils and their importance. Then, young paleontologists are prompted to answer questions about a Knightia skeleton, a Pecopteris leaf, and an Allosaurus footprint. Students will study each fossil to determine if it’s a body or trace fossil, what organism it came from, and where it lived. 

This activity is designed to sharpen third graders’ observation skills and encourage discussion about fossils. Through this worksheet, students practice making inferences based on evidence. Teachers can then ask students to discuss their inferences about each fossil.

This worksheet is the first in a series all about fossils. Check out the other worksheets in this series here: Exploring Fossils: Clues From the Past.