Grade Level: 3, 4, 5

Subject(s):

• Science/Paleontology
• Language Arts/Writing
• Computer Science

Duration: Five 45-minute sessions

Description: This activity may be used in connection with a science unit on dinosaurs with cross curricular connections in language arts. Students will study the fossil information from "Fran" the Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensis that was found in McCurtain County, Southeast Oklahoma. Students will compile their information into a presentation (either PowerPoint Presentation or other form of oral presentation).

Goals: Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS)

Elementary Life Science
• XI. Characteristics of Organisms
  • C. Fossils can be compared to one another and to living organisms according to their similarities and differences.
Language Arts
• II. Responding to Text: Students read, construct meaning, and respond to a wide variety of literary forms.
  • H. Use quotations from the text to support ideas, arguments, and generalizations.

Objectives:

1. Students will work in small groups to research information about "Fran" the Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensis.
2. Students will be able compile information to create a presentation about "Fran" the Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensis.

• If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most
• computers with Internet access and PowerPoint (optional)
• Rubric

Rubric in .pdf format; requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Click the icon to obtain the free Reader.

Procedure:
[It is assumed that you have already been studying dinosaurs and what can be learned from their fossil remains. If you haven't studied about fossils prior to this lesson, then you should first visit http://www.rom.on.ca/quiz/fossil/ , an interactive presentation by the Royal Ontario Museum that provides the necessary information. This lesson below introduces students to dinosaur fossils that have been found in Oklahoma, particularly the Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensi (Fran).]

Activity:
Read, If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most. [ Summary of story: This picture book by Bernard Most is cleverly written to peak imagination. It explores how handy dinosaurs would be if they returned -- mowing lawns, scaring away thieves, giving dentists lots of work. It is not intended for scientific facts. However, it catches the attention of students from pre-k to 8th grade with its fun and imaginative style.] After reading the story, discuss ways that Oklahoma dinosaurs would be useful. As a class, visit the Zoom Dinosaur web site (listed under Internet Resources ) for information about specific dinosaurs.

Explain to the class that for the next few days they will be "Fran" fact finders. They will gather as much information as possible about the Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensi and then compile their information into a PowerPoint presentation. (Depending on class size and students' abilities, this activity can be done individually or in small groups.) The library media specialist may introduce students to print and nonprint encyclopedias, books (indexes), periodicals, and nonprint materials about dinosaurs. Students can also use the Internet Resources listed below for researching information. While fact finding, students should try to determine which information is fact and which are just ideas suggested by the findings. Once all data has been collected, students can begin compiling the information into a PowerPoint presentation (or other type of oral presentation if PowerPoint is not available). If students are not familiar with PowerPoint software, then spend at least one class session teaching them the necessary PowerPoint skills. After all presentations are completed, students will share their presentations with the rest of the class.

Follow-up Activities:
In Oklahoma -- If possible, you might have Cephis Hall or another person who has actually discovered dinosaur remains to visit your class. Perhaps a class field trip to one of the models of Acrocanthosaurus-Atokensis could be arranged. There is a display at the Goddard Boy's Ranch in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and one is planned for The Museum of the Red River that should be available by 2004.

Assessment: Teachers can use the sample rubric (see Materials ) to assess students' presentations.

Useful Internet Resources:
* Zoom Dinosaurs
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/index.html

* Welcome to DinoData
http://www.dinodata.net

* Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
http://www.bhigr.com/pages/info/info_acro.htm

* Dinosauria Online
http://www.dinosauria.com/fullindex.html

* Welcome to Dinobase
http://palaeo.gly.bris.ac.uk/dinobase/dinomenu.html

* Acrocanthosaurus
http://www.fossilzone.com/acroinfo.htm

* Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS)
http://sde.state.ok.us/publ/pass.html