Fossils are evidence of living organisms from the past and are usually preserved in sedimentary rocks. A fossil may be an impression left in sediments, the preserved remains of an organism, or a trace mark showing that an organism once existed. Fossils are usually made from the hard parts of an organism because soft parts decay quickly. Fossils provide clues to Earth's history. They provide evidence that can be used to make inferences (a good guess based on facts andreason)about past environments. Fossils can be compared to one another, to living organisms, and to organisms that lived long ago.
Objective
(What you will learn)
Students will understand how fossils are formed, where they may be found in Utah, and how they can be used to make inferences. Describe Utah fossils and explain how they were formed.
Identify features of fossils that can be used to compare them to living organisms that are familiar (e.g., shape, size and structure of skeleton, patterns of leaves).
Research locations where fossils are found in Utah and construct a simple fossil map.
Explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environments.
Explain why fossils are usually found in sedimentary rock.
Based on the fossils found in various locations, infer how Utah environments have changed over time (e.g., trilobite fossils indicate that Millard County was once covered by a large shallow ocean; dinosaur fossils and coal indicate that Emery and Uintah County were once tropical and swampy).
Research information on two scientific explanations for the extinction of dinosaurs and other prehistoric organisms.
Formulate questions that can be answered using information gathered on the extinction of dinosaurs.
All Types of Fossils
Objective
(What you will learn)Students will understand how fossils are formed, where they may be found in Utah, and how they can be used to make inferences.
Describe Utah fossils and explain how they were formed.
Explain how fossils can be used to make inferences about past life, climate, geology, and environments.
VOCABULARY
infer, environments, climate, dinosaur, preserved, extinct, extinction, impression, fossil, prehistoric, mineral, organism, replacement, trilobite, sedimentary, tropical
Sites to Explore
From USOE, a fun, interactive online textbook. Correlates directly with Utah's science core curriculum.
Teacher resources, information, and explanations for extinction
Web site for the museum in Blanding, UT
Great background information for teachers. Timelines, definitions, history.