Science: Life Science

As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop an understanding of:

• structure and function in living systems.
• populations and ecosystems.
  
• diversity and adaptations of organisms.

Source: National Science Education Standards

Create fun, dimensional dinosaurs to enhance story time and study of prehistoric animals. Discuss the body structure of dinosaurs and how bones have been fossilized over time. Consider the challenges and benefits of their massive size in prehistoric ecosystems. Encourage students to compare and contrast dinosaurs with other animals. Build dimensional dinosaurs for oral reports and class presentations.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

Figure G

Figure H

Note: This lesson can be created using either Ellison AllStar or SureCut Dies.

Supplies Used: Construction Paper, Glue, Pen or Pencil

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut Dinosaur, Brontosaurus Bones 3-D #1 and Dinosaur, Brontosaurus Bones 3-D #3 using cardstock or other heavy paper. Die-cut two Dinosaur, Brontosaurus Bones 3-D #2. Work from the top down to assemble.
   
2. Fold the Brontosaurus head and upper spine on perforation. The slits in the spine will hold the vertebrae in place (Figure A).
   
3. Slide the six small vertebrae into the six top slits of the spines with the single bone toward the back of the spine (Figure B).
   
4. Align the bottom slits of the head and upper spines with the front bottom slits of the middle spines (Figure B). Fold front legs back on perforations (Figure C). Insert the front leg slits into the last slits on upper spines and first slits on middle spines. This will hold the neck and upper spines together (Figure D).
   
5. Slide front pelvis down into slits on front of legs (Figure D). Slightly fold the legs to bow them for support (see Main Photo).
   
6. Slide the four large vertebrae into the four top slits on the middle spines (Figure E).
   
7. Fold back legs back on perforations. Align the back bottom slits of the middle spines with the front bottom slits of the tail spines and insert the back legs into the last slits on the middle spines and the first slits on the tail spines. This will hold the middle spines and tail spines together.
   
8. Slide back pelvis up into slits on front of legs (Figure F).
   
9. Slide the four large vertebrae into the four slits of the tails (Figure G).
   
10. Slide the three small round vertebrae through the two ends of the tails to hold the tails together (Figure H).