Learning Goals
Students will be able to analyze fossil impressions, anatomical features, and fossil-record patterns to explain evidence that some dinosaurs had feathers and their relationship to modern birds.
Students will be able to interpret fossil-location, continental-shape, and related geologic data to explain how past plate motions affected the present distribution of dinosaur fossils.
Students will be able to compare and critique competing arguments about feathered and scaly dinosaurs by evaluating source credibility, evidence selection, and interpretations of fossil facts.
Students will be able to construct and revise a claim-evidence-reasoning explanation about whether some dinosaurs had feathers by citing relevant evidence, addressing a counterargument, and responding respectfully to peer questions and critiques.
Products
Feathered Dinosaur Evidence Log and CER Brief
Each student independently compiles cited fossil and source notes, interprets fossil-distribution data, compares competing arguments, and writes a claim-evidence-reasoning brief with a fair counterargument, rebuttal, and reflection on how their thinking changed.
Feathered Dinosaur Evidence Expo Poster and Public Defense
Teams synthesize members’ individual research into a revised claim-evidence-reasoning poster featuring fossil evidence, dinosaur-bird links, a fossil-location and plate-motion interpretation, source comparisons, and a counterargument, then publicly defend it and respond respectfully to audience questions.
No rubric has been generated yet.