| Fossils for Kids
Insect Amber Fossil Lesson Plan
Amber Fossil
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~ Fossils are a fascinating subject to study when exploring prehistoric and indeed historic evolution with kids
~ To find an insect in amber offers the opportunity to study it even though it existed so long ago
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Fossil Lesson Plan
Amber with Insect
| | More Fossil Activities for Kids |
| Fossil Insect Lesson Plan | ~ Maya and I have always loved fossils, its like taking a little peek into history and actually touching it with your own bare hands
~ amber fossils hold a specialness about them because the whole amber fossil insect is visible and can easily be studied with the naked eye or a special geological microscope
~ Prepare to be amazed what fossil finds are right under your nose
~ even young children can become experienced fossil hunters with a little guidance and patience
~ try and look up your nearest local fossil finding area and prepare a kids activity day to explore the area
~ often there are fossil clubs which you can joine that can offer help indentifying fossils | |
Objective of Fossil Lesson:
Insect in Amber
~ show students that in prehistoric times insects became fossilized
~ explain that amber is a resin secreted by pine trees
~ demonstrate how insects from prehistoric times became fossilized in Amber
~ Explain that the sap of the pine tree is very sticky and and insect that caught itself in it would get stuck
~ Once the insect caught in amber it would remain their and the sap form the pinetree would continue to flow , dripping onto the insect and over time cover it up completely
~ the layers of sap would harden and fossilized over time
~ the amber with insect in it would remain intact and preserved
~ the prehistoric insect in amber could thus be studied today
Hands-on Activity
Amber Fossil Lesson plan
Note:
this fossil lesson can be planned over a weeks time, simulating the slow passage of time before amber fossil insects would be fossilized
Make Replica Amber Fossil Insect Fossils
Materials needed for fossilized insects:
small dead insect or a plastic insect
bottle cap ( bottle top)
clear nail polish (you can add a drip of orange food color to the nail polish)
pine cones (optional)
tweezers (optional)
Instructions on making fossilized amber replica
Amber Fossil Lesson Plan
~ Take a small bottle top ( bottle cap) and place it onto your worksurface
~ pick the dead insect up with a pair of tweezers and place into the bottle cap
~ Take the clear nailpolish Slowly drip clear nail polish over insect.
~ set the bottle cap in a safe place and leave to dry
~ repeat the process several times and eventually the insect will be completely incased like a real amber fossil
Optional:
Get students to take a walk in nature and find a pine cone or pine tree, look out for the sap and encourage participation in designing the Amber Fossil Lesson Plan to suit the kids needs | Printable Fossil Activities for Kids |
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| Earth Science Lesson plans and more Fossil Lesson Plans |
Fossil Lesson
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| How to Make a Fossil Insect Replica in Fossil Rock |
Ideas for Fossil Lesson Plan:
Insect Fossil Rock
Make the fossils with plastic insect inside then hide them in a large sandpit for students to find
~ hand out little hammers to tap the fossil find with , crack open to reveal the " fossil insect" Find
~ Instructions for making fossil are easy to follow |
| Insect Fossil Pictures |
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Insect Fossil Picture
click to enlarge
can be used as a fossil coloring page i your Amber Fossil Lesson Plan |
Amber fossils are treasured by many and amber jewellery has become very popular to wear
~ Maya wears a special amber necklace for children that is said to sooth and be benificial when worn on the skin
~ Special Baby amber jewelry for babies is , Baby Amber ,a fossilised resin, is said to have the power to calm a baby and alleviate the symptoms of teething.Maya loves her special amber necklace |
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Tip:
~ Collecting Fossils is a fun and rewarding kids activity
~ it is more difficult to find amber fossils then it is to find rock fossils but lots of amber fossils are available for viewing and touching ( as they are quite sturdy) so it is worth locating an amber fossil insect as part of your Amber Fossil Lesson Plan and study it with the children
~ if you have a microscope you will be amazed what detailed insect fossil in amber preservation remain
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