Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to create a fossil and understand the basic concept of how fossils are formed.

Materials and Prep

• Modeling clay or playdough
• A small toy or object
• A plastic container or tray
• Water
• A small paintbrush or toothbrush
• Paper towels

No prior knowledge is required for this lesson.

Activities

1. Mold a piece of clay or playdough into a flat surface on the plastic container or tray.
2. Press the small toy or object firmly into the clay to create an imprint. Make sure it is not too deep.
3. Remove the toy or object carefully, leaving the imprint behind.
4. Fill the container or tray with water, just enough to cover the clay and the imprint.
5. Let it sit undisturbed for a few hours or overnight, allowing the clay to harden and the water to evaporate.
6. Gently remove the hardened clay from the container or tray. You should see the fossilized imprint left behind.
7. Use the small paintbrush or toothbrush to clean any excess clay from the fossil.
8. Pat the fossil dry with a paper towel.

Second Grade Talking Points

• "Today, we are going to learn about fossils, which are remains or traces of plants and animals that lived long ago."
• "Fossils can be found in rocks, and they give us clues about how plants and animals lived in the past."
• "Fossils are formed when plants or animals are buried in sediment, like mud or sand, and over time, the sediment hardens into rock."
• "Sometimes, the remains of plants or animals decay or break down, but their shape can leave an imprint in the sediment."
• "We can make our own fossils today by using clay or playdough to create an imprint and then letting it harden."
• "Once the clay hardens, we can carefully remove it and see the fossilized imprint left behind."
• "Remember to use a small paintbrush or toothbrush to clean any excess clay from the fossil."
• "Now, let's have fun making our own fossils and learn more about the past!"