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Jewel of the Earth
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
Scientists
look to the fossil record to learn about the different kinds of plants and
animals that lived millions of years ago. Ask students to describe some
different ways that an organism's body may be preserved. (Some ways an
organism can be preserved include in tar, in amber, in ice, in peat, in arid
regions where the body dries out quickly, or in dissolved minerals found in
cave water.) Organize students into three groups and assign each group one of the
following topics to track as they watch the program: how amber is formed and
traps organisms, how amber has been viewed and used throughout history, and
what organisms were found and what conclusions were drawn about each
organism.
After Watching
Draw a three-column chart on the board and label each column with the
categories students were tracking in the program. Fill in each column with the
information students learned. Ask students how the use of amber has changed
over time. When was it most valued? Why? What do the animals reveal about the
ecosystem and the environments of 20 million years ago? What were some of the
conclusions drawn about interactions between organisms?
Have students research where amber is found in the world. What are the
necessary conditions for amber to form? How many different types of amber are
there and how are they classified? How are scientists able to match amber to
specific geographic locations? Have students write up a one-page summary
answering these questions and any others they may have.
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