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Jewel of the Earth
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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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.)
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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
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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?
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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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