The pupils need to apply some prior knowledge, but all the information required is on the sheets,
posters or the actual exhibit, facilitating use on site or at school.

Specifically from the Dinosaur Family Tree worksheet, they will learn that organisms can be classified on the basis of their similarities, and that elementary arithmetic can be used to support (through quantification) observational (qualitative) classification schemes.

Like with human families, family trees can be constructed over time periods. The Family Tree
worksheet enables the children to place fifteen well known dinosaurs into a simplified Dinosaur
Family Tree. by identifying (numerically) which line each individual sits on, and using the date given, its position on that line.

The tree also introduces the concept of geological time, and the large numbers used in its
construction. Additionally, they will notice that geological time is divided and names given to those divisions.

The work can be extended, some children will notice that four distinct groupings of dinosaurs are
formed as time blocks (Triassic. Late Jurassic, Early Cretaceous and Late Cretaceous). The children could find out what each of the individual dinosaurs ate, find out about other contemporary dinosaurs, and construct food chains for each of those periods.

The Family Tree is aimed at older children, however, by you providing the total scores as part of the exercise, it may become suitable for younger children.

You may also find that inserting the first 1 or 2 letters of each name in the appropriate block will
make it easier for the younger children to complete the exercise.

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