Oct 3, 2012 Fossilization

We transitioned to talking about the process of something becoming a fossil by discussing what happened to our prehistoric animals after they died.  

We reviewed the definition of a fossil which is the remains of a living thing.  We also talked about the 6 steps to fossilization which are: 

• An animal, plant, or human dies
• Before decay begins it is covered quickly in mud, silt, sand, volcanic ash, or in tar
• Time passes, more dirt and sediment covers the remains and the soft parts disintegrate (skin, organs, etc) until only the hard parts remain (bones, teeth, bark, shell, etc)
• Water filters through the sediment and replaces the organic materials with minerals
• The remains are now petrified or turned to stone
• Someday because of erosion or an excavation an archaeologist may find the fossil and share it with the world

On the filmstrip sheet you needed to write one of the fossilization steps in each box and draw a picture to go with it.  

Our strange news was the grossest one yet!!  It was about a girl in India that had a 4 lb hairball removed from her stomach and intestines!  When she's at school she likes to munch on hair and chalk and eventually it built up in her stomach....gross!  

Have a good night!