Carolyn C. Smith
The Origin of Crabs
Objectives
The students will be able to:
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1. identify the characteristics of arthropods.
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2. tell how the class crustacea got its name.
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3. identify the period when arthropods first appeared on earth.
Vocabulary
invertebrate, arthropods, trilobites, fossils, preserve, crustacean
Materials Needed
Pencil, paper, geological time chart, diagram of arthropods
Procedures
Introduce the terms above. Discuss the geological time zones and the pre-Cambrian period with emphasis on how long ago this era was. Point out the first arthropods were the relatives to the lobsters, shrimps, and crabs. Use diagram 1 -Arthropods, Present and Past, to show the similarity in shape. Using the time line point out the rise of the modern day arthropods.
Questions for Discussion
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1. How old is the earth?
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2. What types of plant and animal live were present during the beginning of time?
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3. Why do you think trilobites became extinct?
Related Activities
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1. Have the students to use their reference skills to research trilobites, centipedes, and millipedes.
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2. Use molding clay and/or plaster of paris to make imprints of leaves or shells to show how fossils are formed.
Field Trips
Arrange a field trip to the Peabody Museum for a talk on fossils and to learn about the ones which are abundant in the New England area. Also the students will be able to see the display of fossils they have there.