S3.11.7 For the adult
Fossils
How did a shell get inside a rock on a mountain?
What this chapter teaches
A fossil is the remains or print of a living thing from long ago, kept in rock. A hard part is buried quickly in sediment, the layers become sedimentary rock, and minerals replace the part. Later the rock may be lifted and worn away so the fossil shows. A shell pressed into clay makes a mould.
Three questions to ask
There is no one right wording. Listen for the idea.
- How does a shell end up inside a rock on a mountain?
- Why are fossils found in sedimentary rock and almost never in igneous rock?
- What is the difference between a mould and a cast?
After the chapter, the learner can
- Explain how a fossil forms in sedimentary rock
- Make a model fossil by pressing a shell or leaf into clay
What they copy into their notebook
A fossil is a living thing from long ago, kept in rock. It is buried quickly, the layers become rock, and minerals turn it to stone. Most fossils are in sedimentary rock.