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Can Humans & Dinosaurs Co-Exist?

Project Description

This project will allow students to stretch their imagination.  Dinosaurs existed many years ago.  Is it possible that humans and dinosaurs would have been able to co-exist?  Children think differently from adults.  I’m curious to find out if students believe that humans could live a productive life among dinosaurs.

 In this lesson, students will learn about prehistoric times; Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.  They will also learn about the different types of dinosaurs; carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.  Students will learn about the anatomy and behavior of dinosaurs.  Students will use their knowledge of human beings to compare and contrast humans to dinosaurs.

To assess students at the end of the project, they will be required to complete a slide show presentation, develop a web page or poster board to share with their classmates.

Project Goals

Essential Question:

Can Humans and Dinosaurs Co-exist?

Specific Questions:

Would Humans have been able to survive the prehistoric era?

Would dinosaurs be able to live in the present?

What are the eating habits of carnivores?

What are the eating habits of herbivores?

What are the eating habits of Omnivores?

How did Carnivores behave?

What type of behavior did Herbivores display?

What type of behavior was displayed by Omnivores?

What does the anatomy of dinosaurs look like?

How do dinosaurs move?

Illinois and CPS Learning Standards and Performance Assessment Plan

Grade Level 4-6

Unit Prerequisites

• Basic computer and internet skills

• Reading, writing and listening skills

• Basic knowledge of AppleWorks Presentation

• Basic knowledge of Inspiration software

Performance Actions

Access:

• Examine the three time periods: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous.

• Explore several websites to learn facts about dinosaurs

• Listen to stories read by teacher about dinosaurs

Interpret:

• Imagine what life would be like if humans and dinosaurs co-existed.

• Compare and contrast the environment of dinosaurs and humans.

• Categorize the eating habits of the carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.

Produce:

• Create a slideshow presentation

• Design a web page

• Create a poster board

• Create a graph to compare the size of humans & dinosaurs

Communicate:

• Describe the anatomy of dinosaurs

• Share final project with classmates

• Explain how they arrived at their conclusion

Evaluate:

• Assess student work using a rubric

• Critique student work using peer-to-peer evaluation

• Rate their knowledge of dinosaurs

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