DINOSAURS

How did they become extinct?

An Internet Webquest on Dinosaur Extinction

A Sixth Grade Activity

created by Suzanne Eoff

Introduction

Everyone knows about dinosaurs, but no one really knows why they became extinct. Many people wonder if dinosaurs were wiped out by some catastrophe, what would happen to people if the same event were to occur? Until recently, people simply knew that dinosaurs went extinct, but they didn't understand how something like that could happen. After tons of research, scientists, or paleontologists, (scientists who study dinosaurs) have found out that dinosaurs went extinct some 64-66 million years ago, but that is the only factual information they could be sure of. There still is a lot more to figure out. There are definite ideas as to what happened, such as disease, the greenhouse effect, a volcano, or maybe it was because of the impact of a giant asteroid! We do not know for sure! So, for our project, we are going to be the heroes and figure out what happened to the dinosaurs so that we can prevent such a huge catastrophic event from happening in the future. Each person on your team will find one piece of the puzzle and then you will put the pieces together to get a better understanding of what happened and eventually come up with "your interpretation of what happened."

YOUR TASK

ATTENTION PALEONTOLOGISTS: Aboard the time machine and go back in time, 60 million years ago!! Get Ready, Set, Go!!!

  • Your task is to find out the many ways, scientists believe the dinosaurs went extinct.
  • In groups of 4, you will pick a task to accomplish.
  • Each of you will be checking out websites and tapping into your very own brain power to solve many of the dinosaur extinction mysteries.
  • Each group will then put together their own information into a "highly specialized" news broadcast that will be shown class wide about why the dinosaurs became extinct.

The Process and Resources

Part 1

To make your analysis of what happened to the dinosaurs, this is what you will need to do.

  1. You'll be assigned to a group of 4 students.
  2. Each of you will need to pick a different reason why scientists believe dinosaurs disappeared. In order to find out the information for each reason, click on a link below and make sure each member of your group has a different assumption.
  3. Once each of you have picked a scientific area to study, start gathering your information and most of all HAVE FUN!
  4. Use the questions to guide you and draw pictures or save graphics to help make your final project look awesome.

Dinosaur Extinction Links

  1. Dino-Roar
  2. Impact Disaster
  3. Dinosaurs and Disease
  4. Dinosaurs and Volcanoes
  5. Extinction Information
  6. Copyright Information
  7. Graphics on this website courtesy of ClipArtCastle.com

Part 2

After you have done your research, you need to start putting together your broadcast. Each scientist will need to type out a 1-2 page script on a word processor and create atleast 2 graphics with in a paint or draw program to accompany their script and act as visual aids. Here are some tips to help you with your presentation and some questions that must be answered in your broadcast.
  • You must include pictures along with your written information.
  • You should try importing graphics from the web. You can do this by right clicking on your mouse and saving the picture to a disk or hard drive.
  • You should be prepared to present your newscast by practicing your written material so that you can read it fluently, with lots of expression.

Questions

  1. What killed the Dinosaurs?
  2. What era did scientists begin to find their fossils?
  3. What era did the dinosaurs actually live in?
  4. What kind of environment did the dinosaurs live in?
  5. Depending on what view you take, describe either volcanoes, asteroids, disease, or the green house effect.
  6. How does the environment affect life?
  7. Did they all die at once, or did they die in cycles?

Evaluation

Your performance wil be evaluated in 2 ways. It will be evaluated for the work you do individually collecting and organizing information. You will also be evaluated for your group's news broadcast. There will be a possible 100 points, 50 points for individual work and 50 points for group participation. Each person in the group will receive the same amount of points for the broadcast.

Conclusion

Now that you have journeyed back in time, you should have a better understanding of what killed the dinosaurs and what happened to our home planet, Earth over 60 million years ago. GREAT JOB!!Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!! Click here to return to the 4teachers Main Menu.