Our study of dinosaurs is interdisciplinary in nature. Students read from a variety of resource books to find information about dinosaurs in general and about their dinosaur-of-choice in particular. Each student writes a detailed report about his/her dinosaur. Students also read a variety of literary materials around the theme of dinosaurs. Examples of literary selections include In the Dinosaurs Paw, Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Missing Bones, Nate the Great and the Sticky Case, and Dinosaurs Before Dark. There are many others. In addition to their reports, students are also encouraged to create new dinosaurs (based on the Latin and Greek roots) and to draw pictures. Some children write creative stories about their inventive dinosaur. In math, students measure the length of their dinosaurs in the hallways, converting their findings into scale measuring tapes and drawings. They also solve many word problems involving dinosaurs and interpret graphs to compare the sizes of dinosaurs. To reinforce their social studies, students place their dinosaurs on time lines and on world maps. They draw their dinosaur in its habitat both by hand and on Kid Pix. Some students make clay sculptures of their dinosaurs. The children also enjoy singing dinosaur songs.
Our student paleontologists assemble dinosaur skeletons, create fossils, complete art projects, and discover many interesting things about dinosaurs in science class. They paint colorful dino murals in art class. Special events include Dinosaur Day, a full day of dino-related activities, and a trip to the Academy of Natural Sciences for a simulated dig and a day of discovery.
Launching our study with a brainstorm of questions, students try their best to stump our expert science teacher, Mr. Newberger, and to find answers to their questions through their own investigation.
In our six-week unit, students complete projects from the following categories. Please come and see some of their work:
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please direct your correspondence to Barbara Cipolloni, Nancy Jones or Paul Savering.
