				What Fossil Is It? Fossils of Jefferson Co. Illinois
Intro	Task	Process	Evaluation		Conclusion	Teacher Notes
Introduction				*Introduction* How good are you at skipping rocks across a lake? I say I can skip it three time, you say four? We both look for flat rocks. As you get ready to skip yours, you notice that there is an impression on it. You immediately wonder what it is and how old. Then, all sorts of questions pop into your mind. What did Illinois look like millions years ago? What plants and animals lived here then and how are they different from those of today? What was the climate like? Where was Illinois located on the globe at this time?
Task				You will be given two fossils. For the purpose of this Webquest, we will imagine that you and your partner have designed an exhibit at our school to highlight your discovery. Your task is to actually design a vehicle to promote it. The intent of this product is to persuade the public to visit the exhibit, as well as provide information. an informative brochure or newsletter (done in Publisher) a presentation (done in Hyperstudio or Powerpoint), or a Web site (done in Word)
Process				So how old is my fossil? Fossils form mainly in shallow seas or swamps, where plants or animals get trapped in sediments (mud and sand) that then harden. Throughout most of earth’s history, Illinois was under a sea that created great deposits of limestone made from the shells and bones of sea animals. Thus, the rocks under us contain many fossils of sea creatures. Probably the last time conditions were right in Jefferson County to produce fossils was in the Pennsylvanian Period. After this, we were above sea level and ether no fossils were formed or if they were, the glaciers and erosion removed them. That is why there are no dinosaur fossils in Jefferson County. We need to learn more about the Pennsylvanian Period. This was a time mountains were formed and Pangea was created because of plate collisions. Africa had collided with North America causing the Appalachians to rise. The Great Lakes did not exist (these were carved out by the glaciers that came much later). Much of what is now Illinois lay a few degrees south of the equator. Most important to us, lush junglelike costal swamps, similar to the everglades in Florida, formed in So. Illinois. These swamp jungles were invaded by shallow seas, killing and covering the trees with sand and mud, creating layers of coal. Over millions of years, 75 different swamps jungles grew and were destroyed and covered by seas, creating 75 distinct layers of coal. Now lets get started. The following must 5 items must be included in your final product. Helpful links are included. Indetify your fossils and their habitat. List and show picutres (if possible) of at least five plants or animals during the time period. Illinois State Geological Survey Mazon Creek Fossils Pennsylvanian Fossil Menu Russian Trilobite Fossil Gallery Crinoids Describe how plants, animals, land features changed from earlier time periods by comparing and assessing features of organisms for their adaptive, competitive and survival potential (e.g., appendages, reproductive rates, camouflage, defensive structures) in relationship to earlier animals. (12.B.3b) The palaeozoic Era Life of the Carboniferous The Pennsylvanian Diorama-St. Louis Science Center Do or Die - Adaptation Explain the physical location of So. Illinois during the Pennsylvanian Era as opposed to it location today. Explain this using the theory of plate tectonics. (12.E.3a) Tectonics and Paleoclimate Tectonics of the Carboniferous Maps The mechanism behind Plate Tectonics Introduction to Plate Tectonics Describe how rock sequences and fossil remains are used to interpret the age and changes in the Earth. (12.E.4b) FOSSIL SUCCESSION Rocks and Layers Dating Fossils Stratigraphy of the Carboniferous Clue To The Past Describe processes by which organisms change over time. (12.A.4c) Do or Die - Adaptation Do or Die: Extinction Do or Die: Migration
**Pennsylvanian Fossil Menu - Pennsylvanian Fossils of MissouriEvaluation**				*See Below*
Conclusion				After completing the project, a greater understanding and appreciation of the interdynamics of earth processes and its effects on living organisms should be achieved.
Teacher Notes				The following WebQuest is excellent guide to study the Mazon Creek Fossils of Illinois. http://www.pekinhigh.net/academics/science/carter/Mazon_Creek.htm - Task Illinois Learning Standards addressed by "What Fossil Is It?" WebQuest. 12.A.4c Describe processes by which organisms change over time using evidence from comparative anatomy and physiology, embryology, the fossil record, genetics and biochemistry. 12.B.3b Compare and assess features of organisms for their adaptive, competitive and survival potential (e.g., appendages, reproductive rates, camouflage, defensive structures). 12.E.3a Analyze and explain large-scale dynamic forces, events and processes that affect the Earth's land, water and atmospheric systems (e.g., jetstream, hurricanes, plate tectonics). 12.E.4b Describe how rock sequences and fossil remains are used to interpret the age and changes in the Earth.
Multimedia Project: What Fossil Is It? Teacher name: Mr. Dees Student Name ___________________

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Mechanics	No misspellings or grammatical errors.	Three or fewer misspellings and/or mechanical errors.	Four misspellings and/or grammatical errors.	More than 4 errors in spelling or grammar.
Organization	Content is well organized using headings or bulleted lists to group related material.	Uses headings or bulleted lists to organize, but the overall organization of topics appears flawed.	Content is logically organized for the most part.	There was no clear or logical organizational structure, just lots of facts.
Originality	Product shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and inventive.	Product shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights.	Uses other people's ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking.	Uses other people's ideas, but does not give them credit.
Sources	Source information collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. All documented in desired format.	Source information collected for all graphics, facts and quotes. Most documented in desired format.	Source information collected for graphics, facts and quotes, but not documented in desired format.	Very little or no source information was collected.
Attractiveness	Makes excellent use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes good use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. to enhance to presentation.	Makes use of font, color, graphics, effects, etc. but occasionally these detract from the presentation content.	Use of font, color, graphics, effects etc. but these often distract from the presenation content.
Requirements	All requirements are met and exceeded.	All requirements are met.	One requirement was not completely met.	More than one requirement was not completely met.
Content	Covers fossils in-depth with details and examples. Subject knowledge is excellent.	Includes essential knowledge about the fossils. Subject knowledge appears to be good.	Includes essential information about the fossils but there are 1-2 factual errors.	Content is minimal OR there are several factual errors.
Scientific names	All scientific names are written using proper form.	Two scientific names are written using proper form.	One scientific name is written using proper form.	No scientific name is written using proper form.
Description of Plate Tetonics processes.	Thoroughly describes the tetonics of this period	Adequately describes the tetonics of this period.	Does a inadequate job describing the tetonics of this period.	Only mentions tetonics during this period
Plants and Animals of Pennsylvania era.	Lists 5 plants and 5 animals that were found in Pennsylvania era Pennsylvania era.	Lists 4 plants and 4 animals that were found in Pennsylvania era.	Lists 3 plants and 3 animals that were found in Pennsylvania era.	Lists 1 or 2 plants and 1 or 2 animals that were found in Mazon Creek area or lists species not found in era.

Date Created: 2002-06-18