Lesson Title:

Name:

West Coast Fossils

Lesson #:
Subject:

Kait Harth

Science

Date:
Grade(s):

Rationale: (lesson context and reasons why lesson matters)

The earth has changed drastically over time. Teaching students about the geological changes of their region can help them develop a
better understanding of where they live. Introducing students to local evidence of the fossil record and teaching them about local
contributions to the field of study will give the lesson a context that students can imagine and will spark their curiosity about the topic of
geological time and the ways we use the fossil record to learn about the past.

Curriculum Connections :
Big Idea: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time.
Competencies:
Questioning and predicting
Demonstrate a sustained intellectual curiosity about a scientific topic or problem of personal interest
Identify a question to answer or a problem to solve through scientific inquiry
Planning and conducting
Observe, measure, and record data (qualitative and quantitative), using equipment, including digital technologies, with accuracy
and precision
Ensure that safety and ethical guidelines are followed in their investigations
Processing and analyzing data and information
Experience and interpret the local environment
Evaluating
Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of evidence (qualitative and quantitative)
Communicating
Express and reflect on a variety of experiences and perspectives of place
Content:
The fossil record provides evidence for changes in biodiversity over geological time
Organisms have evolved over time
Core Competency:
Communication- Communicate with group members to extract the fossils
Critical Thinking- Analyze evidence from fossil dig to make predictions about the geological history of Vancouver Island
Learning Intentions
Students learn what a fossil is and how it
is formed

Activity
Fossil Dig

Assessment
Engagement with activity and
presentation

Students can name a fossil found on

Vancouver Island

Lesson on local fossils and the story

of the Courtenay Elasmosaur

Question on Observation Record

worksheet

Students understand that the fossil record

provides evidence of the past

Inquiry about why fossils of sea

animals can be found on land
Lesson on the geology of Vancouver
Island

Make predictions

Students are curious about geological

changes over time

Question and Answer

Group discussion

Participation in the discussion

Prerequisite Concepts and Skill :( for student success)

Geography of Vancouver Island- know where Courtenay, BC is located
Use of tools safely (hammer & chisel)
Working effectively in a group

Materials and Resources with References/Sources:

For Teacher
For Students
Laptop computer to display images and presentation

3 local fossil specimens encased in clay

PowerPoint Presentation
Notes Page

Tools:
chisel
hammer
safety goggles
magnifying glass

Photos and descriptions of ammonite, gastropod, and

clam
Description of tectonic movement of Vancouver Island
land mass
Capital Regional District (2016)
Geological History of Vancouver Island - How &
When Was Vancouver Island Formed?
Retrieved from: https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/ourenvironment/geology-processes/geological-history-vi

Photos and descriptions of ammonite, gastropod, and clam

Worksheets for students who finish early
Adapted from: Discover with Dr. Cool Science Kit (2012)
Ocean Fossils DOP: 05/12 XMDIG1

Map of Rock Types of Vancouver Island

Government of British Columbia Ministry of Energy
and Mines (2016)
Rock Types
Retrieved from:
http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/MINFIL
E/ProductsDownloads/PublishingImages/VIGEOLL.GI
F
Heathers Amazing Discovery Story
Deborah Griffiths- Courtenay Museum (2016)
Heathers Amazing Discovery
Retrieved from:
http://www.courtenaymuseum.ca/fun/heathers_discov
ery/front_cover.htm
Differentiated Instruction (DI): (accommodations)
Visuals in presentation
Auditory- storytelling
Kinesthetic- Fossil extraction exercise
Circulate to provide assistance to struggling students
Organizational/Management Strategies: (anything special to consider?)
Lay out materials and tools for fossil dig before the start of the lesson
Computer screen to display photos and presentation
Helper to hand out worksheets

Lesson Activities:

Student Activities

pacing

Students work in a group to extract an ammonite, a

clam and a gastropod fossil from a lump of clay
fashioned to look like a rock.

5 min

What is a fossil?

Students provide answers to the question

1 min

Remains of prehistoric animals and plants

Sedimentary rock layers
Layers of mud, sand and sediment squeezed together
And more

Students listen

1 min

Why are fossils important to scientists?

Students answer question/ provide predictions

1 min

What did you find in your fossil dig?

Students provide answers to the question and make

predictions

1 min

Show slide on ammonite, clam and gastropod

Talk about characteristics of ammonite, gastropod,
and clam fossil

Students view slide

2 min

AMMONITE
-sea animals
-appeared in the fossil record about 400 million years
ago.
-Soft bodies
-Shell for protection.
-Modern relatives of the ammonite are octopus and
squid!

Students classify the fossils they found

5 min

Students listen to the story

Students view pictures of the Courtenay Elasmosaur

5 min

Students have discussion in small group, report out

their theories/predictions

2 min

Students listen/ view PowerPoint slides

5 min

Teacher Activities
Introduction (hook/motivation/lesson overview)
Facilitate fossil dig simulation

Body (lesson flow/ management)

CLAMS
- Bivalves 2 shells that open up on a hinge for
feeding and then close for protection.
- 510 million years ago.
GASTROPODS
-stomach foot
-Relatives of snails.
-Single, spiral shell
-first appeared 550 million years ago.
-Later, gastropods with lungs appeared on land.
-Slugs are a shell-less gastropod
Although they are commonly found, these are not the
only kinds of fossils found on Vancouver Island.
Read excerpt from the story of the Courtenay
Elasmosaur discovery
Why are all these types of fossilized sea creatures
found on land?
Ocean covered North America 145-65 million years
ago.
Rock that makes up Vancouver Island originated near
the equator in the pacific ocean. Made up of
underwater lava deposits.
View the Rock Types map of Vancouver island
Show areas made of sedimentary rock.

Where are you most likely to find fossils?

Highlight sedimentary rock areas

Students participate in discussion and share

answers

2 min

Closure (connections within lesson or between

lessons, sharing successes, summaries)
Summarize the lesson. Make explicit connections

3 min

Answer student questions and allow comments

2 min

Have students complete Observation Record form

for feedback and to check students understanding
and if the learning intentions were met

2 min

Distribute the A-maze-ing Ammonite maze and the

Ocean fossils word search for those who finish filling
out the form early.

References:
Discover with Dr. Cool Science Kit (2012)
Ocean Fossils DOP: 05/12 XMDIG1
Deborah Griffiths- Courtenay Museum (2016)
Heathers Amazing Discovery
Retrieved from: http://www.courtenaymuseum.ca/fun/heathers_discovery/front_cover.htm
Government of British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines (2016)
Rock Types
Retrieved from: http://www.empr.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geoscience/MINFILE/ProductsDownloads/PublishingImages/VIGEOLL.GIF
Capital Regional District (2016)
Geological History of Vancouver Island - How & When Was Vancouver Island Formed?
Retrieved from: https://www.crd.bc.ca/education/our-environment/geology-processes/geological-history-vi