Objectives:

• Discover how long ago dinosaurs lived.
• Understand the difference between eras and periods.
• Understand what is a timeline.
• Create a timeline of dinosaur history.

 Key Words: eras, periods, timeline, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic.

 TimeLine: 3-4 class periods

 Materials: (3) 6 feet pieces of bulletin board paper, markers, crayons, rulers, glue, worksheet, on-line pictures, color printer.

 Procedures:

1. Discuss with the students that dinosaurs live millions and millions of years ago.
2. Discuss what a timeline is.
3. Using an overhead projector or blackboard draw a straight line.  Then divide the line into three (3) columns.  Label the first column (Paleozoic) 600 – 225 Million Years Ago, 2^nd column (Mesozoic) 225 – 65 Million Years Ago, and 3^rd column (Cenozoic) 65 Million Years Ago - Present.  Explain to the class that the Earth’s history can be divided into three separate historical eras: Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic Era.  Each era was divided into different periods of animal evolution. 
4. During these eras came the existence of dinosaurs, especially during the Mesozoic Era or “The Age of Dinosaur”
5. Inform the class that they will be creating a timeline of dinosaur history.
6. Divide your class into three homogenous groups.
7. Assign each group one of the historical eras (Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic).
8. Provide each group with a reference chart of the historical eras.
9. Have each group visit the following links for additional information: geological timeline and dinosaur timeline gallery
10. Direct each group to measure and draw a straight line all the way across the long side of the paper, 5 inches down from the top.  Then draw another line 5 inches below the first line.
11. Using the reference guide as a guide, each group will label their timelines.
12. After each group has completed labeling their timeline, they will search the Internet for pictures of the animals listed on their timeline. Use the suggested web links or conduct Google image search.
13. Students are to print, cut and glue the pictures in the correct time periods labeled on their timeline.
14. After all three timelines have been completed; hang the three sections end-to-end to create one large time-line of dinosaur history.
15. Give each student a copy of the discussion questions.  Using the completed timeline as a reference source have each students answer each the questions.
16. After all students have completed their worksheet.  Discuss the questions and answer in a large group discussion.

Assessment: Timeline Rubric

Extension Activity:

Using a spreadsheet program (i.e. Excel) have the students create a timeline of their personal history.

 Suggested Web Links:

Dinosaur Times
Interactive timeline game from Scholastic

Geology and Geologic Time Exhibit and text from UCB Museum of Paleontology provides an overview of geologic time periods

Dinosaur Clip Art  Pictures from Golden Books

ZoomDinosaurs.com  Comprehensive hyper-text book about dinosaurs