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Year 3

More about fossil formation

I can describe a range of different ways in which fossils can be formed.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 3

More about fossil formation

I can describe a range of different ways in which fossils can be formed.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Palaeontology is the study of fossils.
  2. Some fossils are formed when tree resin hardens into amber, with living things trapped inside.
  3. Models can be used to show how fossils are formed in different ways.
  4. Some fossils are formed when sediment and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died.

Common misconception

Pupils may believe that old discovered objects, like bits of pottery, coins and jewellery are fossils. They also may believe that the fossil is always the actual plant or animal itself.

Being clear that only things that have been alive may become fossils, and not all living things are fossilised.

Keywords

  • Palaeontology - Palaeontology is the study of fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.

  • Fossil - A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.

  • Resin - Resin is a sticky substance which is produced by some trees.

  • Minerals - Minerals occur naturally and can be dug out of the ground.

  • sediment - Sediment is solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location.

Make sure you have access to real fossils for this topic and not replica fossils or pictures, as children need to touch and feel them to understand them. Models are a key to this lesson as they demonstrate how fossils are formed which is important (cannot experience the fossil process first hand).
Teacher tip

Equipment

See additional guidance.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
tell us about living things that have lived over 10,000 years ago.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: Fossils , fossil
Q2.
Which of these things may form a fossil?
An image in a quiz
a rock
Correct answer: a plant
Correct answer: a human
a brick
Correct answer: an animal
Q3.
Does every living thing that dies become a fossil over time?
An image in a quiz
Yes, all living things eventually become fossils when they die.
Correct answer: No, very few living things eventually become fossils when they die.
No, no living things become fossils when they die.
Q4.
Which of these things would rarely form a fossil because their bodies are too soft and they would decay too quickly?
bird
Correct answer: worm
lizard
Correct answer: jelly fish
Q5.
Which of these things may form an imprint fossil?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: shells
wheels
Correct answer: bones
Correct answer: leaves
Correct answer: feathers
Q6.
Scientists can use models to show how imprint fossils are formed. Put these steps in the right order to create your own imprint fossil model.
An image in a quiz
1 - Roll out a piece of clay to make a disc, around 2 cm thick.
2 - Press a leaf firmly into the clay to leave a soft imprint of its shape.
3 - Leave the clay to harden over time.
Q3 servickuz/Shutterstock.com

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Palaeontology is the study of .
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: fossils, fossil
Q2.
Look at the amber fossil in the image. What natural material is this fossil made from?
An image in a quiz
hardened sediment
hard rock
Correct answer: hardened tree resin
Q3.
What is the name for the type of scientist that studies fossils?
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biologist
physicist
chemist
Correct answer: palaeontologist
Q4.
Some fossils are formed when and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died.
An image in a quiz
rock
water
Correct answer: sediment
tree resin
Q5.
Which reasons explain why a model could be used in a lesson to learn about fossil formation?
An image in a quiz
Using models is a different way to record what you have done.
Using models is fun and means you don't have to write anything.
Correct answer: Using models shows you how fossils are formed.
Correct answer: Using models helps you understand things you can't experience yourself.
Q6.
Put the sentences in order to show how a fossil may be formed.
An image in a quiz
1 - A living thing dies and sinks to the seabed.
2 - Its flesh is eaten by other sea creatures and decays.
3 - Its skeleton is covered by layers of sediment over thousands of years.
4 - The minerals dissolve the bones and under pressure they turn into rock.
5 - Thousands of years later, a fossil hunter discovers the fossil in a rock.
Q3 Tom Meaker/Shutterstock

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