Dinosaur Dig Adventure

Curriculum Area:

Science – Life Systems (Ontario Curriculum: Understanding Life Systems, Grade K-3)
Big Idea: Living things have basic needs and interact with their environment in many ways.

Lesson Duration:

28 Minutes

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Identify that dinosaurs were living organisms that needed food, water, and shelter.
• Understand that Saskatchewan was home to various dinosaurs and prehistoric plants.
• Explore textures and materials through a hands-on sensory experience.
• Develop observation and inquiry skills by digging for dinosaurs and discovering their habitats.

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Materials Needed:

• Sensory bins (large plastic bins filled with kinetic sand, soil, or dry rice)
• Plastic dinosaur figurines (various species found in prehistoric Saskatchewan such as Edmontosaurus, Triceratops, and T. rex)
• Small plastic plants or real leaves/ferns to represent prehistoric vegetation
• Playdough (to create "dinosaur eggs" with small dinosaurs hidden inside)
• Magnifying glasses
• Small paintbrushes and plastic scoops (to mimic paleontology tools)

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Lesson Breakdown:

1. Introduction – Dinosaur Curiosity (5 minutes)

Engage the class in a quick discussion:

• Show a picture of a dinosaur fossil found in Saskatchewan. Ask, “Who do you think lived here before us?”
• Explain that Saskatchewan used to be home to many dinosaurs and prehistoric plants millions of years ago!

Guiding Questions:

• What do you think Saskatchewan looked like when dinosaurs were alive?
• What do animals today need to survive? Let’s think about if dinosaurs needed the same things!

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2. Hands-On Sensory Dig (15 minutes)

Group students into teams of 4 and give each group a sensory bin.

Activity:

• Students will “dig” through the sensory bin to search for buried dinosaur figurines and plants.
• Encourage them to use the small paintbrushes and magnifying glasses to investigate like real paleontologists.
• As they find dinosaurs, they should describe their textures, sizes, and shapes.

Bonus Challenge: Playdough Egg Hatch!

• Give each student a playdough egg with a small dino inside.
• They must carefully “hatch” their eggs and describe the dinosaur they find.
• Ask them: “Where do you think this dinosaur lived? Would it need plants, water, or lots of space to run?”

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3. Class Discussion & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Share Discoveries: Ask students about the dinosaurs they found.
• Sorting Activity: Separate dinosaurs into plant eaters and meat eaters.
• Think & Share: "What kind of plants do you think dinosaurs ate in Saskatchewan?"

Closing Thought:
"Dinosaurs lived right where we are standing today! What would you do if you found a real fossil?”

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Assessment & Extension:

• Observation Check-in: Walk around the room to listen to student discussions and note engagement.
• Exit Reflection: Have students draw their favourite dinosaur from the dig and label what it needed to survive.
• Extended Learning: Read a short dinosaur story or play a dinosaur movement game (e.g., "stomp like a T. rex").

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Teacher Notes:

• If students finish early, let them explain how their dinosaur's feet, teeth, or body shape helped it survive.
• Use calming music (forest sounds or gentle drum beats) to enhance the sensory exploration.
• Incorporate Indigenous perspectives by briefly discussing how some First Nations communities discovered fossils and incorporated them into stories.

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Why This Lesson Wows!

✅ Creative & Interactive: Engages multiple senses for a truly immersive learning experience.
✅ Aligned with Curriculum: Focuses on life sciences through a local, Saskatchewan-specific lens.
✅ Encourages Inquiry: Students think like real paleontologists and ask deep questions!

This lesson brings prehistoric Saskatchewan to life—right in the classroom! 🌿🦕