Worksheet: Fossilization process
Foundation Phase
Grade 2 - 3
Learning area: Natural Sciences
Activity
Sheet
Specific Aim 1: Acquiring knowledge of natural
sciences
What is a fossil?
Fossils are the remains of prehistoric plants and animals. The hard, more
durable parts of these, such as bones, teeth or shells are preserved by
the process of fossilization. Other things, such as wood, animal faeces
(called coprolites), or animal tracks, may also become fossilized. Fossils
tell us about life on earth which is now extinct (no longer there).
How does a fossil form?
The following have to take place for fossilization to occur:
The animal or plant must be buried quickly. This can happen in a flash
flood or when an underground burrows collapses.
The animal must be buried quickly to save it from being eaten by
scavengers or from being damaged or weathered.
EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE PACK
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West Coast Fossil Park
Activity: Understanding the fossilzation process
There are several steps in the formation of fossils.
The facilitator explained how fossils may have formed at the West
Coast Fossil Park. Look at the pictures. Match each picture with the
correct sentence. Write the correct sentence next to each picture.
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West Coast Fossil Park
Sentences
1.
The soft body parts such as skin and muscles rot away. The skeleton falls apart. The bones and teeth remain.
2.
Minerals in the bones are dissolved away. These are replaced with minerals in the ground. This takes a very long time.
3.
Soil is washed away exposing the fossils. Fossils are found by palaeontologists.
4. Bear kills the animal. The skin, organs, and flesh are eaten by the bear and scavengers.
5.
Over time the sand and mud layers build up. They harden to form sedimentary rock.
6.
Before the bones break up in the sun, the river rises and covers them with a layer of sand.
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West Coast Fossil Park
Teacher notes
Activity: Understanding the fossilzation process
Bear kills the animal. The skin,
organs, and flesh are eaten by the bear and scavengers.
The soft body parts such as
skin and muscles rot away. The
skeleton falls apart. The bones
and teeth remain.
Before the bones break up in the
sun, the river rises and covers them with a layer of sand.
Minerals in the bones are dissolved
away. These are replaced with
minerals in the ground. This takes
a very long time.
Over time the sand and mud layers
build up. They harden to form sedimentary rock.
Soil is washed away exposing the
fossils. Fossils are found by palaeontologists.
EDUCATOR’S RESOURCE PACK
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West Coast Fossil Park