Title or topic of lesson and Grade Level: Dinosaur Extinction; 2nd Grade Lesson Guiding Question (s): - What

does it mean to be extinct? - What is a theory? - What is evidence? - What are some possible theories as to why the dinosaurs became extinct? - What evidence do we have that dinosaurs existed? Standards: 5.3.2.B.1: A source of energy is needed for all organisms to stay alive and grow. Both plants and animals need to take in water, and animals need to take in food. 5.4.2.G.3: Organisms have basic needs and they meet those needs within their environment. Identify and categorize the basic needs of living organisms as they relate to the environment. Learning Objectives TSWBAT identify the theories behind the extinction of dinosaurs. Assessments Upon reading a story about the extinction of dinosaurs, students will fill in a simple worksheet describing each of the theories. Students will draw a picture and describe the theory they believe is to be true. Students will work in groups, deciding what is vital to life and what would happen if one of these important elements were taken away.

TSWBAT predict different occurrences that could possibly result in the extinction of another species.

Materials: What Happened to the Dinosaurs by Franklyn M. Branley, extinction worksheet Pre- lesson assignments and/ or prior knowledge: Students will need to know what living things need to survive. They will also know what a fossil is and how it acts as evidence that dinosaurs once existed. Lesson Beginning: At their desks, ask students How many dinosaurs exist today? After students answer the question, have them answer a short writing prompt What happened to the dinosaurs? Students should answer the question in 4 to 5 sentences. Instructional Plan: - Brings students to the carpet - Read What Happened to the Dinosaurs - Pause and ask students: what does theory mean? - Pause with each theory brought up in the book, making sure students understand - Also, write each new theory on a piece of chart paper as they are read in the story - Upon finishing the story, talk with students about what is discussed. Ask for any connections or

other ideas about the extinction of dinosaurs. Have students then go back to their desks to fill in a worksheet explaining the different theories discussed in the story. These theories include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Small animals ate dinosaur eggs Disease that spread to all dinosaurs Sun did not shine as bright and cooled the earth Great fire Meteorites Earth got colder/dust cloud

- Review the worksheet and discuss the theories and make a list of these theories on the large lined paper (Students will give their input on what theories they believe to be true and share some of their own ideas about how the dinosaurs became extinct) - Break students into groups of about 3 to 4 and discuss what is essential to life based on our discussion about extinction (Each group will make a list of about four or five essential things) Differentiation: New vocabulary words will be defined as a class while also being posted on the board for the students to reference to. The students will be working in groups for part of the activity. These groups will be designed to have both high and low level learners mixed, hoping they will help one another. The teacher will provide the ESL learners with extra help and will allow extra time to complete any work. Transitions: The short writing activity will be the transition into the read aloud. The book will provide the students with valuable information that can be used in the discussions. Classroom management: Students will be assigned group members to avoid confusion. Students who cannot provide valuable thoughts during discussion will be asked to remove themselves from the group. Closure: Each group will share, with the class, their lists of the important elements of life. We will make a class list on the large lined paper. We will then take a class vote on the theory students believe to be true about the extinction of dinosaurs. Students will draw a picture of their interpretation of dinosaur extinction.