Paleontologists for a Day: CET Third-Graders Dig Deeper into the World of Fossils

Dinosaurs have long captured children’s imaginations — towering, fierce, and sometimes even capable of flight. These prehistoric creatures once ruled the Earth long before humans or modern animals appeared. Their stature, strength, and mystery make them almost mythical, sparking endless fascination and curiosity.

Last week, CET third-graders learned to separate fact from fiction during a special workshop that brought paleontology to life. The experience was part of Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Morales’ co-teaching unit, Animals Through Time, which blends art, science, and ELA through research, writing, and creative projects comparing animal traits and fossils.

“This was a very student-driven activity,” said Ms. Sullivan. “One of my students has a great interest in fossils and has been sharing his knowledge throughout the unit. It was his idea to bring in his own fossil collection so classmates could examine real artifacts and enhance their learning.”

In Ms. Sullivan’s classroom, students rotated through museum-style activity stations that included recording observations of dinosaur teeth fossils, creating their own fossil impressions, exploring books on dinosaurs, and decoding fossil types using picture guides and authentic samples from the Edelman Fossil Park of Rowan University in New Jersey.

“These artifacts were discovered on a dig at the museum’s quarry by the student himself,” Ms. Sullivan explained. “It’s incredibly exciting for students to experience history in such an authentic, hands-on way.”