Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A limestone ledge in Texas with a shell fossil and a dinosaur track in a creek bed.

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Fossil Clues

Read an old environment from its fossils.

Lesson 37 of 40

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Fossil Clues

A fossil is a trace of a living thing from long ago. It might be a bone, a shell, a leaf print or a footprint. Over a very long time, minerals can fill in a buried bone or shell and turn it to stone.

Fossils tell about the place where the animal lived. Sea shells mean ocean. Fern leaves mean warm, wet land. Dinosaur tracks mean land beside water.

Texas has many fossils. Dinosaur tracks are found near Glen Rose. Ammonites and sea shells appear in limestone around the state. Follow the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Make a Fossil Print

    25 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • Salt dough or modeling clay
    • Seashell or leaf
    • Rolling pin
    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • A hand lens

    Do this

    1. Roll the dough flat.
    2. Press the shell or leaf in firmly.
    3. Lift it out carefully.
    4. Look at the print with the hand lens.
    5. Draw the print.
    6. Write what animal or plant it came from.
    7. Say what kind of place it lived in.
    Write or draw: A drawing of the print and a note on the old environment.

    Watch for: Fine details like ridges and veins show up. Real fossils preserve these over time.

    Safety: Do not eat the dough.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Fossils are clues.

    They do not tell everything.

    Rule 2Rock layers hold fossils.

    Sedimentary rock is a good place to look.

    Rule 3Say maybe when unsure.

    Scientists revise as they learn.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    fossil
    Remains or traces of life from long ago.
    environment
    The land, water and air around a living thing.
    sedimentary rock
    Rock made of pressed layers of sediment.
    trace
    A mark left by a living thing.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know a fossil tells about an old environment?
    • Where in Texas might you look for fossils?
    Did you know

    Much of Texas was once covered by shallow seas.

    Someone who does this

    A paleontologist studies fossils to learn about ancient life.

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