Resource #V102314

Précis

This is a curriculum-based Science resource that enables students to learn how fossils are formed, and how sedimentary rocks are important in the fossilisation process. The resource highlights the processes of change involved, and highlights type of fossils other than dinosaur-related ones. Students engage with one type of fossil and this could be the foundation for further fossil studies or projects back in the classroom.

Contextual Summary

The resource links to fossils found on the Isle of Wight specifically, ensuring relevance on the visit for students whilst ensuring the wider curricular relevance is maintained.

Curriculum Relevance

Science → Chemistry → Properties and Changes of Materials

Implementation

It is suggested to teachers that they introduce the topic of fossilisation before the visit, so the subject matter is familiar and they have an understanding of sediment, the rock cycle and key stages of fossilisation.

Key Skills Practised

• Understanding of the process of fossilisation
• Interpretation of ammonite or other fossil information
• Identifying characteristics of an organism through study of their fossil

Learning Opportunities

Pre-Visit

This resource could be used as a prompt for pre-visit research, but is designed to work in conjunction with the museum visit.

On Site

Completion of the resource/s linked to this document: Fossils: Clues from the past

Post-Visit

Follow-up tasks could include: whole class discussion about the responses to the questions; groups presenting back their collated responses to the class; projects on Isle of Wight fossils or a specific organism of particular interest

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to demonstrate their ability to understand the fossilisation process in relation to the Isle of Wight and its fossil richness, identifying key stages of fossilisation, and considering their own and others? interpretation of what fossils can tell us about living organisms.