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Curse of T. rex

Ideas from Teachers

(Gr. 4-8)
This learning game can be used with NOVA's "Curse of T. rex" program.

After studying fossils and the geologic column, ask students to choose an animal from the column and draw or copy it onto an index card. When students are done, place all of the cards face down on the table.

Divide the class into two teams and play the game. Put a chart dividing geologic time into eras and periods on the board. Have a student draw a card and place the animal on the card first in the correct era and then in the correct period.

The student's team receives 1 point for each correct era and 2 points for each correct period. If the placement is incorrect the animal is available to be "stolen" by someone else.

A steal can take place prior to the next student's turn. If the placement of the stolen card is incorrect, the student forfeits his turn.

If the period is correct but not the era, the card is placed face up on the table. (The era has to be correct first, before the student can choose the period. If the era is missed, the student loses his turn and receives no points.) If the era is correct but not the period, then the card is taped to the correct era on the board and someone can steal the card and gain 2 points for her team by correctly identifying the period.

The team with the most points at the end of the game or predetermined time would win.

Sent in by
Laura Petit
Saint Paul's Episcopal
New Orleans, LA