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What Is A Dinosaur? Write What Is A Dinosaur? on the chalkboard. In small groups have students explore this question. Give groups 10 minutes to discuss and have each group share their ideas with the rest of the class. Dinosaur Discovery You can have the students do some research in the school library or at home about a dinosaur they are interested in. Using the information gathered have students write a story, diary entry or a letter to a friend describing their discoveries. The students should include in their writing some future questions they would like to investigate. Pretend You Are a Paleontologist Write a journal entry about what you think life might be like on a dino dig excursion. What do you do, what do you see, what do you feel? Did you find anything special? Name Your Own Dino Many dinosaur names come from Ancient Greek and Latin words that tell you about the dinosaur. Use the words below to create your own name for a dinosaur. Draw a picture and then describe its characteristics. Use These Words As The First Part Of A Name: Aqua- water Macro- big Phyto- plant Brachio- arm Micro- small Poly- many Bronte- thunder Mono- one Pteryg- wing Cory- helmut Octo- eight Scolo- crooked Di- two Odon- tooth Tri- three Dino- terrible Orni- bird Tyrannos- terrible Diplo- double Pachy- thick Xeno- strange Lopho- crest Pedo- foot Use These As The Last Part Of The Name: Gnathus- jaw Saurus- lizard Podia- feet Use These As The First Or Last Part Of The Name: Cephalic- head Coel- hollow gut Derma- skin Phile- loving These activities will be an opportunity for your students to relate the dinosaur park to your science curriculum. These activities are designed to be completed by either individual students or small groups of students. You can select the activities that are appropriate for your learning goals.
