• Fossil fragments: Fossils vary depending on the type of project
• Replicas of fossils
• Pictures and over-head projector pictures of fossils
• Diagrams of fossils bone and casing structure
• Geologic time scale
• Fossil identification labels
• Instructor's Fossil List ditto
• Fossil Identification dittos
• Hotelzimmer NaplesLab Safety List ditto
• Pencils for each participant

There are several ways to present the different fossil classifications. It is best to have your presentations as specific as possible. Because there are so many types of plant and animal classifications, it is difficult to show a variety of different fossils. As an instructor you can design a project to fit the needs of what the classroom or organization is learning at the time. With this lesson plan you can pick and choose what fossils you want to represent. Some different presentation groupings include:

• 1. Fossil presentations based on Phylum. Pick 2-3 different Phyla and have fossil representations of each group. Or base your presentation on one specific Phylum. This would give the opportunity to have several specimens depicting different genus and species of the particular Phylum classification.
• 2. Fossil presentations based on fossils' skeletal structure. Invertebrates and vertebrates are two different classifications for this category.
• 3. Fossil presentations based on either marine creatures or land creatures.
• 4. Fossil presentations based on geologic time. Designing this type of project can be done by focusing on one geologic Era or by having a couple samples for each time period. A geologic time period presentation can be formatted with different fossil Phylum including plants and fossils. An instructor can illustrate what the planet looked like at that time by showing what the different animals ate and illustrating plate tectonic movement and how it effected the living creatures.
• 5. Fossil presentations based on environmental conditions. This presentation can work in conjunction with a sedimentary rock identification project. Students would be able to identify what environment certain creatures lived in (ie. shale-lagoon, sand-beach, limestone-reef).

After you decided what theme works best for you, use the Instructor's Fossil List included in this package to organize and set what supplies you will use. Write down on the list all specimens, pictures, diagrams, and replicas you are going to display. Print several of the enclosed package pictures. These make great over-head projector slides and by applying the print outs and fossil identification labels onto cardboard or foam core, you can use them over and over again. For all background information, use the resources included in this computer program and do some additional researching with other resources like: books, maps, journals, magazines, and film.

Arrange fossils, diagrams, replicas, and pictures onto a large table according to your specific presentation. By using the Instructor's Fossil List to check off each specimen and supply used, this will also keep you organized when cleaning up the display. Use the presentation layouts in enclosed in this program to help you coordinate the display. Be creative with the displays and use identification label to identify each specimen. Make copies of all dittos students might need including geologic time scales, Lab Safety List dittos, and Fossil Identification dittos.

• 1. Ask the students what they know about fossils and how they are formed.
• 2. Give a scientific definition about fossils. Tell the students that fossils are remains of prehistoric plants and animals. Use the enclosed background information and other resources to describe fossils and to answer questions.
• 3. Before showing the displays, review with the group the rules of lab safety and specimen care. You will find a list of lab safety in this computer program. Note: it is best if the students do not touch the specimens unless they get permission from you.
• 4. Guide the students across the display while explaining each specimen. Show the different diagrams and pictures and ask the students how they correlate with the specimens. Use the presentation layouts and background information to help you describe the objects including in the presentation.
• 5. Quiz participants to see what information they retained by asking them to identify several of the specimens and pictures.
• 6. Depending on time and age level, let the group get one last look of the displays on their own before they leave. Pass out Fossil Identification dittos and pencils and let the students write down the name and information of each specimen and sketch small pictures and diagrams.