Palaeontology is the study of fossils and how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.

A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.

Resin is a sticky substance which is produced by some trees.

Minerals occur naturally and can be dug out of the ground.

Sediment is solid material that is moved and deposited in a new location.

More about fossil formation

Science

In this Rocks and soil unit, pupils learn to describe in simple terms how fossils are formed. In the Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that things have changed over time and that fossils provide information about living things that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago.

In the Uses of everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to identify and compare the suitability of materials, including rock. In this Rocks and soils unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group different kinds of rocks on the basis of their appearance and simple physical properties.

Rocks and soils 

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

Look at the amber fossil in the image. What natural material is this fossil made from? 

What is the name for the type of scientist that studies fossils? 

Some fossils are formed when {{}} and minerals fill the hard parts of living things that have died. 

Using models is a different way to record what you have done. 

Using models is fun and means you don't have to write anything. 

Using models shows you how fossils are formed.

Using models helps you understand things you can't experience yourself.

Which reasons explain why a model could be used in a lesson to learn about fossil formation? 

A living thing dies and sinks to the seabed.

Its flesh is eaten by other sea creatures and decays.

Its skeleton is covered by layers of sediment over thousands of years.

The minerals dissolve the bones and under pressure they turn into rock.

Thousands of years later, a fossil hunter discovers the fossil in a rock.

Put the sentences in order to show how a fossil may be formed.

{{}} tell us about living things that have lived over 10,000 years ago. 

Which of these things may form a fossil? 

Yes, all living things eventually become fossils when they die. 

No, very few living things eventually become fossils when they die.

No, no living things become fossils when they die. 

Does every living thing that dies become a fossil over time? 

Which of these things would rarely form a fossil because their bodies are too soft and they would decay too quickly? 

Which of these things may form an imprint fossil? 

Roll out a piece of clay to make a disc, around 2 cm thick.

Press a leaf firmly into the clay to leave a soft imprint of its shape. 

Scientists can use models to show how imprint fossils are formed. Put these steps in the right order to create your own imprint fossil model.

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

More about fossil formation

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.