Print the Past: Fossils Reimagined in 3D
2nd Grade
Student Activity: In this activity, the reading is chunked into paragraphs with each paragraph and question getting its own slide. There is no place for students to work on these slides.
Good for presenting to your whole class. Use with another activity and have students follow along.
How to share with students: These pages can be assigned digitally using an LMS (like Google Classroom), where students can work on their own slide decks via “Make a Copy for Each Student.” Each slide is set up with text boxes for students to type in.
Please Note: Because Diffit resources can vary in length, be sure to check the formatting on each slide.
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Suggested Lesson Flow:
1. Preview Vocabulary with students prior to reading.
2. Students review the image.
3. Students read the passage.
4. Students answer the multiple choice questions.
5. Students answer the short answer questions.
6. Students respond to the open-ended prompts.
Feel free to edit, remix, and use this resource however works best for you and your students! Find editing tips here!
TEACHER INSTRUCTION PAGE (delete this slide)
TEACHER INSTRUCTION PAGE (delete this slide)
Basic Slides for Presenting
Review Vocabulary
replicas
fragile
museums
animals
past
A copy of something, like a toy car that looks just like a real car.
My brother has a replica of a dinosaur skeleton in his room.
Something that is easy to break, like a glass vase.
A building where you can see interesting things from the past, like old clothes or dinosaur bones.
Living things that move around, like dogs, cats, and birds.
The time before now, like yesterday or last week.
The baby bird was very fragile and needed to be kept safe.
We went to the museum to see the dinosaur exhibit.
The zoo has many different kinds of animals.
My grandma told me stories about her life in the past.
Vocabulary Term | Definition | Example Sentence |
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Reading
Scientists use 3D printers to make copies of fossils. These copies are called replicas. They are made from plastic or other materials. The replicas can be used to study fossils without having to touch the real ones. This is important because real fossils are very old and fragile.
Reading
Scientists can use 3D printers to make replicas of fossils that are in museums. This means that people can see and learn about fossils without having to go to a museum. They can also use the replicas to learn about how animals lived long ago.
Reading
3D printing is a new way to study fossils. It is helping scientists learn more about the past. It is also helping people learn about fossils in a fun and easy way.
Multiple Choice Question
A) Replicas
B) Prints
C) Models
D) Drawings
1. What are copies of fossils called?
Multiple Choice Question
A) They are fun to play with.
B) They are easier to study than real fossils.
C) They are cheaper than real fossils.
D) They are more beautiful than real fossils.
2. Why are replicas of fossils important?
Multiple Choice Question
A) How to make 3D printers.
B) How to build a museum.
C) How animals lived long ago.
D) How to make fossils.
3. What can people learn about by studying replicas of fossils?
Short Answer Question
1. What are replicas of fossils made from?
Short Answer Question
2. What can people do with replicas of fossils that are in museums?
Short Answer Question
3. How is 3D printing helping people learn about fossils?
Open Ended Question
1. Think about something you have learned about in school. How would it be helpful to have a copy of it to learn more about it?
Open Ended Question
2. Have you ever seen a fossil? How do you think it would feel to touch a real fossil?
Open Ended Question
3. Think about something you like to learn about. How could you use a 3D printer to learn more about it?
Additional Engagement Slides to Add Anywhere
Turn and Talk
Turn to your partner and share the most interesting thing you’ve learned so far.
Turn and Talk
Does the reading remind you of something else you’ve learned in this class? If so, what?
Remember to work together as a team and use the design cycle to create an amazing 3D fossil!
Develop a plan
Explore Fossils: Look at pictures of real fossils. Discuss what fossils are and how they are formed.
Plan Your Fossil: Decide what type of fossil you want to create. Sketch your ideas on paper.
Execute the plan
Use TinkerCAD: Log into TinkerCAD, a 3D design tool. Use the shapes and tools to build your fossil prototype.
Assess your plan
Test and Improve: Check your fossil design. Make any changes needed to improve it.
Share your plan
3D Print Your Fossil: Once your design is finalized, send it to the 3D printer to create your physical fossil model.