Plants and Animals Long Gone Third Grade Science Stations

Plants & Animals Long Ago Science Stations for Third Grade Next Generation Science Standards include 8 different science stations where students can deepen their understanding of how plants and animals live together long ago. The focus is on NGSS 3-LS4.A and includes concepts such as fossils, history of Earth, comparing Mammoth and Elephants, paleontologists, and physical traits of dinosaurs.

Stations Include

► Vocabulary Cards in two formats with and without pictures.

► Watch – Students watch a video about the fossils or petrified forests and answer questions. Allow students to choose the video or have them do both.

► Play – Students interact with a video game about making fossils and answer questions.

► Investigate – Students investigate the history of Earth and create a prehistoric timeline of plants and animals.

► Diagram – Students diagram how comparing and contrasting woolly mammoths and elephants.

► Read a Passage – Students read a passage about paleontology and answer questions.

► Model – Students make a model of a dinosaur fossil.

► Explore – Students explore how dinosaur structures fit their functions.

► Sort – Students sort dinosaurs into carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore based on traits.

Differentiated Responses

Each station includes four different ways to respond to the experience at the station: short answer questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, task cards with short answers, task cards with multiple choice. All the variations are similar to one another. Choose the format that best fits your classroom and students. Students are encouraged to use their science journal, but worksheets are included as well.

Some stations include two or more activity choices and extension activities.

Each station is designed to last about 15-20 minutes. Students may do one a day for 8 days, 2 a day for four days, or any format that works for your classroom. Because there are additional activities for the Watch and Play stations, you can offer those a choice within that station or offer them as an early finisher station, as well.