SMART START traveled back to the prehistoric era both this and last year to learn about dinosaurs!
Read below to view what we studied during 2018 dinosaur week and 2019 dinosaur day!
Our dinosaur displays exhibited a variety of related books, dinosaur models, habitat structures, fossils and an encyclopedia. Pupils practiced identifying different species such as, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Apatosaurus, Triceratops, Pterodactyl, ankylosaurus and more.
Here are additional facts the class learned:
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Dinosaurs were reptiles
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All are now extinct
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The Spanish translation of dinosaur is: Dinosaurio
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Some were carnivores/ate meat and others herbivores/ate plants
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The study of dinosaurs is Paleontology
2018
2019
Dinosaur enthusiasts used fine motor and problem solving skills to assemble themed puzzles. In addition, this year the group also worked diligently to match upper case and lower case T-Rex letter cards.
2018
2019
Young learners dramatic played with dinosaurs throughout the outdoor classroom. They roamed, jumped, stomped and roared around the yard and play structures. Imaginations soared as the "dinosaurs" relived a day on Earth. Engaging in pretend play yields numerous benefits for children. Some being but not limited to:
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experience the subject matter
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encourage creativity
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promote literacy
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enhance social skills and communication
2018
2019
The class circled in our outdoor classroom for a Jurassic storytime. All listened intently as information about dinosaurs was read. Our school chickens joined in and assisted with this activity. We discussed how chickens are closely related to dinosaurs, especially the T-Rex!
2018
2019
Classmates gathered to enjoy their lunch in dinosaur fossil bowls. This mealtime provided students the opportunity to discuss what they have been learning during the unit. Conversations included favorite dinosaur species and wanting to become a paleontologist!
2018
2019
Last year, SMART START artists created their own handprint dinosaur. They decorated paper with stickers, painted their hand and made a handprint. Each project was labeled with the child's name and "osaurus."
This year, aspiring archaeologists used tools to find artifacts inside a fossil dinosaur egg. All picked and dusted until they managed to crack their egg open. Miniature dinosaurs were discovered inside!
2018
2019
Peers paired up to use dinosaur rubbing plates. Each covered their plate with paper and colored with pencils until a dinosaur appeared. Pterodactyls and t-rexes were among the creatures created. This craft allowed students to practice holding a pencil in writing position while testing their knowledge on dinosaur species.
2018
2019
SMART START paleontologists excavated dinosaur fossils that were buried in the sand and outdoor structure mulch. Brushes, picks and other tools were used to unearth the fossils. All used magnifying glasses to inspect the findings up close and attempted to name what skeletal part they thought the fossils were: arm, leg, tail etc.
2018
2019
Last year, future engineers put their fine motor skills and hand to eye coordination to work as they built a 3D dinosaur fossil of a Stegosaurus and Brontosaurus. They followed the step-by-step instructions accordingly. Superior building!
This year, the group constructed their own dinosaur fossil model using fossils they uncovered in the outdoor structure mulch. All cooperated as they arranged and rearranged the skeleton pieces. The
class named the model a SMARTSTARTosaurus!
2018
2019
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