Topic: Life Science-‐ Biological Evolution Software: Cyber Science 3D, zView Tyrannosaurus Rex Lesson Overview From fossils, we can learn many things about extinct organisms. For example, by analyzing an organism's physical attributes, we can make reasonable predictions about its diet and its adaptations to live in certain environments. In this lesson, students will analyze the fossils and physical attributes of the Tyrannosaurus Rex using Cyber Science 3D and zView. Objectives • • Use fossil data to provide evidence of an organism's existence Analyze an organism's physical attributes to learn about its diet and the environment that it lived in Standards (NGSS and Common Core) For state specific standards visit edu.zspace.com/activities Next Generation Science Standards • Life Science – Biological Evolution o 3-‐LS4-‐1 Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago. Common Core Connections Grade Level: 2nd -‐ 4th Lesson Time: 60 Minutes Key Terms: Adaptations Environment Evolution Fossils Paleontology Physical attributes Resources: Tyrannosaurus Rex worksheet Dinosaur Detective worksheet Materials needed: UDB drive Research center on Tyrannosaurus Rex • Language Arts o RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. o W.3.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories. Differentiation • • • • • • Group students heterogeneously to allow students with a strong command of the English language to assist in reading or interpreting questions Provide paper copies of diagrams to students to use as a reference Provide a handout with a list of vocabulary terms and definitions that will appear in their activity Allow students to provide answers that are handwritten, typed, or verbal Give students a variety of presentation styles to choose from (using charts/graphs, PowerPoint, making 3D presentations, creating videos/movies, making posters) Work in partners or small groups (younger children could partner with older buddies) Tyrannosaurus Rex 1 Topic: Life Science-‐ Biological Evolution Software: Cyber Science 3D, zView Introduction Students should complete the Woolly Mammoth lesson prior to beginning this activity. The teacher will explain to the students that they will study the physical attributes and adaptations of the Tyrannosaurus Rex to determine the environment in which it lived and its diet. Using the zView and the “Tyrannosaurus Rex” model in the Paleontology section of Cyber Science 3D, the teacher will click on the animations button at the bottom right corner to show students how the Tyrannosaurus Rex stands, walks, and roars. Students will share their observations about how a Tyrannosaurus Rex moves. Activity – Tyrannosaurus Rex 1. Open the "Tyrannosaurus Rex" session in Cyber Science 3D. 2. Click on the “Presenter” mode at the top left corner of the screen. This will display a list of slides along the left side. 3. Follow the presentation: Click on the “Play Slides” button to pause the session at the first slide. When you are ready for the next slide, click the next slide on the list. Follow the directions on each slide and explore at your own pace. 4. Record your observations about each physical attribute (appearance, texture, size, etc.) on the provided "Tyrannosaurus Rex” worksheet. 5. Make predictions about the function of each attribute and how it helped the T-‐Rex survive. 6. At another center, use textbooks and the internet to conduct additional research about the T-‐Rex. 7. Record your findings about the function/adaptation of each body part. 8. Based on your evidence, make predictions about the environment in which it lived and its diet. Closing After the students complete their worksheets, they will discuss their findings. They will discuss each of the T-‐ Rex's body parts and its function for survival. Finally, students will share their conclusions about the T-‐Rex’s diet and the environment in which it lived. Discuss the following questions. Questions for Discussion 1. Based on your observations and research, what conclusions can you make about the environment in which it lived? What evidence did you find to support this? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: T-‐Rex lived on land because its legs were made for running. It lived in places with other carnivores or herbivores because it preyed on these animals. It lived in areas like forested river valleys because its prey would need plants for food, and both would need to be close to a water source. 2. What did its diet consist of? How do you know this? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: T-‐Rex was a carnivore, or meat eater. It had a large head and sharp teeth for tearing flesh. It had large, powerful legs and a long, strong tail for chasing prey. It had claws on its fore limbs to hold prey in place, but could not reach his mouth. Tyrannosaurus Rex 2 Topic: Life Science-‐ Biological Evolution Software: Cyber Science 3D, zView 3. What kind of adaptations would you expect to find in animals that live in water? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Animals who live in water would probably have fins, gills, tails, etc. 4. What kind of adaptations would you expect to find in animals that live in the air? Answers will vary. Sample Answer: Animals who live in the air would probably have wings, feathers, etc. ∆Investigate Further Extension Activity: Students can research another dinosaur in Cyber Science 3D. Using the provided "Dinosaur Detective" worksheet, students can record their observations and research about its physical attributes and adaptations, and then make conclusions about its environment and diet. Extension Activity: After studying several dinosaurs, students could measure out the height and length of each dinosaur with chalk on the blacktop and then make comparisons. Tyrannosaurus Rex 3 Name: Date: Dinosaur Detective Directions: Choose a dinosaur on Cyberspace 3D. Record your observations and research about each of your dinosaur’s physical attributes and its adaptations for survival. Physical Attribute (Body Part) Detailed Description Function/Adaptation for Survival Based on your observations and research of your chosen dinosaur’s physical attributes and adaptations, how would you describe the environment in which it lived? What did its diet consist of? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ Name: Date: Tyrannosaurus Rex Directions: Record your observations and research about each of the T-Rex’s physical attributes and its adaption for survival. Physical Attribute (Body Part) Detailed Description Function/Adaptation For Survival Skin Head/Skull Teeth/Jaw Fore Limbs Hind Legs Tail Based on your observation and research of the T-Rex’s physical attributes and adaptations, how would you describe the environment in which it lived? What did its diet consist of? __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________
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