Lake Clifton Thrombolites: Science Worksheet for 9-Year-Olds — Printable Activity

Instructions

Read the information and complete the fun activities to learn all about the amazing Lake Clifton Thrombolites!

Part 1: Discovering the Living Rocks!

Imagine a rock that is actually alive! That's what thrombolites are. They aren't made of just one animal or plant, but are built by millions of tiny living things called microbes. These microbes, especially a type called cyanobacteria, have been on Earth for billions of years, making them one of the oldest forms of life we know of!

The thrombolites in Lake Clifton, Western Australia, look like lumpy, grey, cauliflower-shaped rocks sitting in the water. These clever microbes use sunlight to make their own food in a process called photosynthesis. A very important gas called oxygen is released during this process. Billions of years ago, ancient microbes like these created the oxygen in our atmosphere that allows us and other animals to breathe!

The word "thrombolite" comes from an old word meaning "clot." This is because, unlike their cousins the stromatolites which grow in neat layers, thrombolites have a clumpy, clotted structure inside. They are very rare and special, giving us a peek into what life was like on ancient Earth.

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks

Use the words in the Word Bank to complete the sentences below.

1. Thrombolites are built by millions of tiny living things called _______________.
2. The process of using sunlight to create food is called _______________.
3. These living rocks give us a clue about what life was like on _______________ Earth.
4. A very important gas that thrombolites help create is _______________.
5. The thrombolites' name comes from their lumpy, _______________ internal structure.
6. Lake Clifton is located in Western _______________.

Part 3: True or False?

Read each statement. Circle or write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if it is incorrect.

1. Thrombolites are made by large fish.
   TRUE / FALSE


2. Thrombolites can be found in every lake around the world.
   TRUE / FALSE


3. The microbes that build thrombolites helped create the air we breathe.
   TRUE / FALSE


4. Thrombolites look like smooth, flat pancakes.
   TRUE / FALSE

Part 4: Word Scramble

Unscramble these words from the text! The first one is done for you.

• KLEA    LAKE   
• YEGXON _________________
• RCKSO _________________
• CIBEMOR _________________
• TFLOCNI _________________

Part 5: Scientist's Sketchpad

Imagine you are exploring Lake Clifton and see the thrombolites for the first time. In the box below, draw what you see. Then, write one sentence explaining why they are so important.

One reason they are important:

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Part 2: Fill in the Blanks

1. microbes
2. photosynthesis
3. ancient
4. oxygen
5. clotted
6. Australia

Part 3: True or False?

1. FALSE
2. FALSE
3. TRUE
4. FALSE

Part 4: Word Scramble

• KLEA: LAKE
• YEGXON: OXYGEN
• RCKSO: ROCKS
• CIBEMOR: MICROBE
• TFLOCNI: CLIFTON

Part 5: Scientist's Sketchpad

Drawings will vary. The sentence should mention something about them being very old, creating oxygen, or showing us what ancient life was like. (Example: "They are important because they are living fossils that helped make oxygen for us to breathe.")