Materials

1. Clayey soil (not sand)
2. Twigs
3. Fresh leaves
4. Large margarine tubs (1 per group)
5. Shells
6. Water
7. Dishpan
8. Feathers (optional)
9. Clean chicken bones (optional)
10. Toothpicks (Thick, round ones work best)
11. Other objects that can be used to pick at the fossils

Extensions

1. For an eatable activity, make or purchase chocolate chip cookies. The firmer type works best. Have the students pretend they are paleontologists that have unearthed some fossils. The students are to carefully pick the chips out of the cookie with a toothpick without splitting the chip.
2. Have students research the eras of geologic time and construct a time line.