• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 3-5] Fossils provide evidence of past life. (LS4.A)
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 3-5] There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms. (LS4.A)
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] Fossils provide evidence of past life. (LS4.A)
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 6-8] There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms. (LS4.A)
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record provides evidence for evolution.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] The fossil record documents the biodiversity of the past.
• [Evidence of evolution: Grades 9-12] There are similarities and differences among fossils and living organisms.
• [Nature of science: Grades 3-5] Scientific ideas may change with new evidence. (NOS3)
• [Nature of science: Grades 3-5] Scientists base their ideas on evidence from the natural world. (P3, P6, P7, NOS8)
• [Nature of science: Grades 6-8] Scientific knowledge is open to question and revision as we come up with new ideas and discover new evidence. (P6, NOS3)
• [Nature of science: Grades 6-8] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 6-8] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientific knowledge is open to question and revision as we come up with new ideas and discover new evidence. (P4, P6, NOS3)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] A hallmark of science is exposing ideas to testing. (P3, P4, P6, P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists can test ideas about events and processes long past, very distant, and not directly observable.
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Scientists may explore many different hypotheses to explain their observations. (P7)
• [Nature of science: Grades 9-12] Authentic scientific controversy and debate within the community contribute to scientific progress. (P7)
• [Studying evolution: Grades 3-5] Scientists study fossils and how and when they were formed. (LS4.A)
• [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Our knowledge of the evolution of living things is always being refined as we gather more evidence.
• [Studying evolution: Grades 6-8] Scientists use fossils to learn about past life. (LS4.A, ESS1.C)
• [Studying evolution: Grades 9-12] Scientists use fossils (including sequences of fossils showing gradual change over time) to learn about past life.

• Disciplinary Core Idea LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
• Disciplinary Core Idea ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth
• NOS Matrix understanding category 3. Scientific knowledge is open to revision in light of new evidence.
• NOS Matrix understanding category 8. Science addresses questions about the natural and material world.
• Science and Engineering Practice 3. Planning and carrying out investigations
• Science and Engineering Practice 4. Analyzing and interpreting data
• Science and Engineering Practice 6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
• Science and Engineering Practice 7. Engaging in argument from evidence

The Fossil Find Worksheet is suitable for 6–12 grade students. Teachers of younger children may want to assemble more appropriate debriefing questions, such as:
• What do you think it was?
• How can you tell?
• Does it look like any animal you know today?
Student enthusiasm will largely hinge on your showpersonship reading the provided script, or nominating a student who would be good at this!. Assure them that they are working with replicas of real fossils and functioning the way paleontologists actually work. If you would like to use this activity again in the future, make sure students put the fossils back in the envelopes after finishing.

• Evidence for Evolution
• Geologic Time
• History of Life
• Nature of Science