Getting Started

Introduction

There is an overwhelming body of evidence that birds are derived from small, carnivorous, feathered dinosaurs. Although birds and feathers used to be thought of as synonymous, recent fossil finds have shown us that feathers and many other features typically associated with flying birds, appear very early in the dinosaur lineage, long before flight.

This module examines evidence from the fossil record, behavior, biomechanics and cladistic analysis to interpret the sequence of events that led to flight in the dinosaur lineage. The module concentrates on the process of science - how we know what we know.

Time Requirements

• Teacher Preparation: 1-2 hours to review the Teacher's Guide and Student Tour.
• Module: 4-8 class periods, depending upon computer availability and selection of activities.

Grade Level

• 9-12

This recommendation is dependent on student learning and reading levels. This module contains a moderate amount of detail and some new vocabulary.

Preparation

We recommend that you follow these steps before using the module with your students.

1. Read the Overview for a summary of the module.
2. Check out the Technical Requirements.
3. Review the Standards aligned with the module.
4. Learn how to Navigate through the Tour.
5. Try out the student version of The Evolution of Flight in Birds.