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The Big Dinosaur Podcast

The Big Dinosaur Podcast

A site about dinosaurs

The Real Velociraptor

The Real Velociraptor

Image courtesy of Fred Wierum, via Wikimedia Commons

Lesson

Velociraptor in real life was much smaller than how it was depicted in the movie Jurassic Park. Listen to the Velociraptor dinosaur of the day segment in I Know Dino (under “Materials”).

  • For elementary students: Draw Velociraptor, based on what you learned in the episode.
  • For middle school students: Write a short description of Velociraptor, and answer the question: what modern animals were similar in size to Velociraptor?
  • Bonus: Some people say the Velociraptor in Jurassic Park is similar to the real dinosaur Utahraptor. Listen to the interview with Dr. Jim Kirkland and the dinosaur of the day segment on Utahraptor (under “Materials”) to learn more.

Recommended For

Elementary, Middle School

Goals

  • Compare and contrast scientifically accurate Velociraptor with the movie version of Velociraptor
  • Practice critical thinking

Materials

Birds Are Dinosaurs

Birds Are Dinosaurs

Image courtesy of toony et svtiste, via Wikimedia Commons

Lesson

Birds are dinosaurs! Technically, the non-avian dinosaurs went extinct 66 million years ago (like T. rex and Triceratops). But avian dinosaurs (birds) evolved from non-avian dinosaurs and are still around.

The next time you have chicken or turkey or another type of bird for dinner, clean and save the bones and use them to build your own (non-avian) dinosaur.

Bonus: Look up images of non-avian dinosaur skeletons and compare their bones to the bones you collected.

Recommended For

Elementary, Middle School, High School

Goals

  • Observe the similarities between birds and non-avian dinosaurs
  • Learn about evolution

Materials

Tape the Feather on the T. rex

Tape the Feather on the T. rex

Image by RJPalmerArt, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Lesson

Paleontologists debate about whether Tyrannosaurus rex had scales or feathers. For this lesson, play tape the feather on the T. rex.

  • Download the printable T. rex coloring page (under “Materials”).
  • Cut out the T. rex.
  • Download the printable feather (under “Materials”), and cut it out (or use a feather, if you have one).
  • Place your T. rex on a wall or flat surface.
  • Stick some tape on your feather.
  • Put on a blindfold and try to tape your feather on your T. rex.

[Optional]: Color in your T. rex, and when you’re done playing the game, add feathers where you think they should be.

Recommended For

Elementary

If you want to adapt this lesson for older students:

Goals

  • Move around
  • (For students who listen to the episode): Learn about the scientific method and how science can be debated and changed based on evidence

Materials

What’s Your Favorite Dinosaur?

What’s Your Favorite Dinosaur?

Lesson

Create a Google slide about your favorite dinosaur. Pick 1 to 5 things you learned, and explain and share.

If you mention a specific feature of the dinosaur, talk about the evidence for that feature. For example, if you mention Brachiosaurus and its neck, talk about how we know that Brachiosaurus kept its neck upright.

Cite your sources for supporting or contradictory evidence. Try to start with a scientific, peer-reviewed research paper. For ideas on which dinosaur to choose, check out the I Know Dino episode index.

Recommended For

High School

Goals

  • Practice critical thinking
  • Practice public speaking (if sharing your slide)

Materials

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