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https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/Where-Can-You-Find-Fossils

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-dinosaurs-get-their-names

https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/How-Did-Dinosaurs-Become-Extinct

Passages to be used to supplement this unit and provide reading practice and ELA skills.

The “Try it out” section is great for students to extend their understanding and foster research skills.

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Have you ever WONDERed how scientists can know so much about things that happened thousands of years ago? For example, how do they know what certain dinosaurs looked like? After all, those dinosaurs have been for thousands of years, right?

But what about the parts of those dinosaurs that were left behind? Occasionally, bones, teeth, and other parts may have left an in a rock. Some of these rocks survive to this day. When scientists find these imprints, they can learn a lot about the animals that left them. What are we talking about? Fossils, of course!

Fossils are the or impressions left by plants and animals that lived many years ago. Over time, the (living) material left behind is replaced with . This makes a fossil that is like stone but looks just like the plant or animal.

Not all plant and animal become fossils. Certain conditions have to exist for this to take place. For example, many fossils form when plant and animal are buried by mud, sand, or soil. This helps to preserve the long enough for them to form fossils.

Fossilization also takes a lot of time. How long? How about 10,000 years or more. So if you bury a plant leaf under a pile of mud in the backyard, don't expect a fossil to form in your lifetime!

Still, fossils can be found just about anywhere. From the tops of mountains to the depths of the seas, fossils can be found all over Earth. Some sit on top of sandy beaches while others stay hidden deep underground.

Fossils are often found during construction or new mining projects. As the ground is dug up and moved about, fossils once hidden deep underground suddenly come to light. In a similar way, you can often find fossils in shallow stream beds. The constantly flowing water cuts through old earth to what's hidden below.

From time to time, you might hear the term "living fossil." Knowing what you already know about fossils, this probably seems like an odd term. However, it refers to alive today that are the exact same as fossils that have been found. This means that these have been unchanged for thousands or millions of years.

One example is the non-flowering plant called Ginkgo. There is one considered a living fossil: Ginkgo biloba. Scientists have found fossils recognizable as relatives of modern Ginkgo biloba from 270 million years ago!

Have you ever found a fossil? Maybe you've seen one online or in a museum. Scientists dig up new fossils every day, and you could do the same. Find a trusted adult who can help you look for fossils. You may be surprised at what fossils can be found near you!

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Have you ever WONDERed how scientists can know so much about things that happened thousands of years ago? For example, how do they know what certain dinosaurs looked like? After all, those dinosaurs have been for thousands of years, right? But what about the parts of those dinosaurs that were left behind?

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This DIY Plant Fossils lesson from Penn State is a fantastic fit for 3rd–4th graders to explore fossils in a hands-on, engaging way. Students press real leaves or flowers into clay or salt dough to create their own plant “fossils,” mirroring how natural impressions form over time. Afterward, they examine and compare each other’s fossils—practicing observation, questioning, and making inferences about what the ancient plant looked like and where it grew.

It’s a terrific way to bring paleontology into the classroom affordably and meaningfully, helping students see how scientists use physical clues to learn about Earth’s history.

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This resource connects beautifully with hands-on fossil lessons: after students create clay or dough fossils, they can compare their models to real examples from around the world. It deepens their understanding of fossil formation, variety, and context (e.g., the difference between plant impressions and full skeletons). Plus, the interactive nature fosters curiosity, observation, and questioning skills—just what we want budding scientists to practice!

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Digitally Dig for Fossils with These Online Exhibits - Google Arts & Culture

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Put on your pith helmet and discover dinosaur bones around the world.

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The video does a clear job introducing what fossils are and explaining how they form, using relatable examples.

It invites students to think beyond bones—showing imprint fossils, preserved plants, and more—which helps broaden their understanding and curiosity.

Great introduction before doing some hands on exploration with fossils (see above ideas).

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Fun Facts about Fossils | Interactive | Learn about what fossils are and how they form

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This Generation Genius lesson “Weather vs. Climate” offers a clear and engaging way to reinforce the difference between day‑to‑day weather and long-term climate for your 3rd/4th graders. The short video and downloadable teacher guide explain key instruments like thermometers and anemometers, showing how meteorologists collect data to understand patterns over time.

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Weather vs. Climate | Science Lesson for Kids | Grades 3-5

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Do you know what the difference between weather and climate is? Watch this fun weather & climate video for kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade to learn more.

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This National Geographic “Create a Weather Map” activity ties perfectly into our earlier weather studies by letting students apply their understanding of local data to real-world forecasting tools. After collecting and analyzing weather data with GLOBE, creating a weather map helps students visualize how temperature, fronts, and precipitation are shown on professional charts—reinforcing their grasp of weather patterns and prediction skills!

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Students draw pictures that symbolize different types of weather and then use information about today's weather to make their own state weather map.

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This National Geographic article helps us understand the difference between weather and climate. Weather is what’s happening outside right now, like if it’s sunny or rainy today. Climate is the usual weather in a place over a long time, like how summers are often hot and winters are cold. This fits with what we’ve been learning because we started by watching daily weather, and now we’re beginning to see how those days add up to bigger patterns called climate. It helps us understand how weather and climate are connected!

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Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Often climate change refers specifically to the rise in global temperatures from the mid 20th century to present.

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Nice connection between the processes of weathering and erosion and video games (which kids are very familiar with). Reviews major vocabulary. Short quiz to assess understanding.

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Weathering and Erosion: StudyJams! Science | Scholastic.com

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Some of the world’s most famous landmarks were created by weathering and erosion. Students will learn more about weathering and erosion with this activity.

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Wonder of Science - Seasonal Weather Conditions

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Wonder of Science - Seasonal Weather Conditions

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The Wonder of Science makes abstract concepts like climate patterns concrete and visually accessible. Students not only collect data—they learn to look for patterns, analyze trends, and connect weather events to broader seasonal cycles.

Includes student and teacher graphic organizers for seasonal weather, anchor charts on weather vs. climate, and mini-lessons on recognizing patterns and analyzing quantitative data.

I am thinking of taking the "Finding a Field Day" Assessment and growing that into something around a Balloon or Kite Festival in town for the kids to plan!

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Mathematics

3.MD.A.2 - Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l). Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as a beaker with a measurement scale) to represent the problem.

3.MD.B.3 - Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step "how many more" and "how many less" problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs.

MP.2 - Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

MP.4 - Model with mathematics.

MP.5 - Use appropriate tools strategically.

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Mathematics 3.MD.A.2 - Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of grams (g), kilograms (kg), and liters (l). Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings (such as a beaker with a measurement scale) to represent the problem.

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The PBS LearningMedia “The Rock Web” animation is a perfect tool for helping 3rd and 4th graders explore how rocks form and change over time, and how this connects to fossils.

The animation illustrates how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks are formed, broken down by heat, pressure, weathering, and erosion, all as part of a dynamic “web” rather than a straight cycle.

Great to connect back to the 3rd grade fossil work - Students can see where we find fossils—mainly in sedimentary rocks that form from compacted layers of sand, mud, or organic material.

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The Rock “Web” | PBS NC Science | PBS LearningMedia

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The rock of our geosphere is being built up, broken down, and built up again through a process we call the rock cycle. But this “cycle” isn’t really a cycle at all. It’s more of a complex web of interactions powered by forces that keep it in a constant state of change. Learn all about the dynamic rock cycle with this animation.

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Simple Interactive Video Game about Weathering and Erosion

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Simple Interactive Video Game about Weathering and Erosion

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This is not high tech in any sense of the word. I would use this as a whole class to go over the concepts and terms of erosion so we could discuss and I could informally assess understanding. Later I would assign do students could review and get to the "arcade game" that comes at the end.

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Walter's Travels - Weathering and Erosion

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Meet Walter, a friendly animal who will guide you on your quest for knowledge about erosion and weathering. You will begin your journey by doing different activities to that will simulate weathering and erosion. The game continues with a variety of activities and information.

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Helps students distinguish between daily weather and seasonal climate patterns through interactive sorting and data interpretation.

Anchors learning with real-world visuals and vocabulary, facilitating deeper understanding and retention.

Builds data literacy as students interpret average monthly data and recognize weather patterns over time.

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Daily and Seasonal Weather | Interactive Lesson | PBS LearningMedia

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Students investigate the relationship between daily weather and seasonal weather. Students will read about how weather data is collected, then interpret examples of weekly and monthly weather data to find seasonal patterns. Visual supports (images), maps, and data alongside informational text provide students with the context they need to recognize differences between daily and seasonal weather.
The associated lesson plan, Investigating Daily and Seasonal Weather, provides additional support for teachers and students, including handouts and materials for diverse learners.