The following lesson activities are based on the article “Behind a Shopping Center in New Jersey, Signs of a Mass Extinction.”
Before Reading
Write and discuss: What scientific theories do you know about that explain how dinosaurs might have gone extinct?
After Reading
Read the entire article and answer the questions, supporting your responses by citing evidence from the text.
1. Who is Kenneth J. Lacovara, and what theory does he have about the quarry pit behind a Lowe’s home improvement store in Mantua Township, N.J.?
2. What kinds of fossil finds have been found there?
3. How has the community been involved in the hunt for fossils in the quarry every year for the past four years?
4. What were the “bone wars,” and what role does New Jersey play in this fierce competition?
5. Why was the future of the quarry in danger, and how was it ultimately saved?
Going Further
If you’re interested in hunting for your own fossils, read the Society for Science’s “Fossil Hunting Can Start as Child’s Play” for suggestions on how to get started.
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