ANSWERS

Page #_____ Name: __________________________________________

How do fossils form?

You are a scientist trying to prove a theory that your back yard used to be a near the ocean millions of years ago. So you decide to start digging with your shovel (spoon). Look inside your backyard (container full of dirt) to find fossils and clues about what existed there long ago.
Directions Evidence from fossils helps scientist understand how organisms have changed over time. Some fossils form when impressions left by organisms in sand or mud are filled in by sediments that harden. 1. In front of you is a container full of dirt/sand mixture 2. You must dig the dirt with the shovel (spoon) 3. In the table below write down what you find, the color and what this could possibly mean

What did you find?

1. Answer will vary (1 point)

What color and shape?

Answer will vary (1 point)

What do you think this tells you about your backyard? Answer will vary (1 point)

2.

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

3.

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

4.

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

5.

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

Answer will vary (1 point)

Questions: (2.5 points each)

1. What information do you think someone could learn about the shell and the organisms that lived in your backyard by examining the fossils? 2.5: Anything explaining what can be inferred from the fossil using an observation from the chart they filled out. 1.5: Giving an inference but not using any of the observations from their charts 0: Not answering at all

2. How do you think these fossils were made? 2.5: Any answer will be fine, since it will be the first time covering fossil formation 0: Not answering at all

Page #__________ Name: ____________________________________

How do species change over time?

Over long periods on Earth, certain individuals within populations of organisms were able to survive better than others. You are a

Directions
1. One person will choose a species from the box 2. Another person will come choose a chart paper and markers 3. In box 1 of your chart paper, draw what the ancestral form of the species looked like 4. In box 6 of your chart paper, draw what the ancestral form of the species looked like 5. Use information from the ID cards to show what you think the progression of changes would be in the species in frames 2-5 6. Under each box (2-6) explain how each change helped the species to survive

Questions for quizzes at the end of the day

Quiz 1 1. What is the fossil record? (1 point) Fossil record is made up of ALL the fossils ever discovered on Earth

2. How do scientists date fossils? (1 point) Scientists look at the ground, dirt (etc.) and use the layers of the earth in which the fossil was found to find the relative age. There is also absolute age dating, in which isotope ratios are used to determine the age of the layer of earth in which the fossil was found.

Quiz 2 1. What is extinction? (1 point) Extinction occurs when the last organism of a species dies.

2. Describe biological evolution in your own words (1 point) Biological evolution is change over time in populations of related organisms. Answers might differ slightly but the core meaning should stay the same.

Quiz 3 1. Who is Charles Darwin? (1 point with possible extra point for having all three answers below or more detailed answer) A naturalist Father of evolution A scientist who came up with the theory of evolution 2. What is his Theory called and what does it say? (1 point) Theory of evolution states that animals adapt to their environments in order to have a better change at surviving, that all animals come from ancestors before them, and that there is the survival of the fittest.

Quiz 4 (1 point each) 1. What is Natural Selection? It is the process by which populations of organisms with variations, which help them survive in their environments, live longer, compete better, and reproduce more than those that do not have variations. 2. What is Artificial Selection? Changes caused by selective breeding instead of natural selection

3. Provide an example of each. Answers can vary