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A Dinosaur Book of Wooorld Records
Teachers’ Guide ©Dinorock Productions, Inc. 2004
Performance Information: A Dinosaur Book of World Records is a show about dinosaur extremes. Using an oversized book and engaging dinosaur puppet characters, the Dinorockers introduce record holding Mesozoic creatures through original songs and audience participation.
Background: Our show has been reworked. Originally the focus of the show was dinosaur extremes and new discoveries. We’ve moved the location of the show to a library to emphasize the importance of research and the wonders of books. The focus of the show is now on how to use the library to find out about anything and everything. The message of the show is: Books come to life in a library; and you can find out about whatever interests you at the library. We want the children to think of the library, not as a chore, but as a magical place where learning is fun.
Songs and Characters
1.) Arabela, the Belly Flopping Archaeopteryx.
2.) Harry the Honker
3.) Gallimimus Gal (with Gabi & Gobi Gallimimus)
4.) Shaow Shaow Microraptor
5.) Thumbs the Iguanodon
6.) Roxie Regina
7.) Zino the Therizinosaurus
8.) A Dinosaur Book of World Records.
For Before or After the Show
I. Dinosaur Sounds: Scientists believe that dinosaurs made many sounds that animals of today make. Practice dinosaur "talking" with the children. This is a wonderful avenue for creative sounds, since no one ever heard them. We can't be sure exactly how they sounded. But they didn’t all roar like lions.
II. Dinosaur Movement: Sauropods vs Theropods
Sauropods
(sawr–OP–odd) or "Lizard–footed" were the 4 footed, planteating dinosaurs. They had huge bodies, long necks, whip like tails and elephant like legs. To get the feel of walking like a sauropod the children can slither their backbones up and down while walking in slow motion. Or link all the children together in a straight line and move them in a wave pattern as a unit.
Theropods
(the–ROP–od) or "Beast–footed" were two legged mostly meat eaters, who walked on strong hind legs with their bodies bent over parallel to the ground. Most had short arms and tiny hands. The children can stomp around the room, growling, to show off their powerful teeth. Most children love T.rex, the most famous theropod of all, because he was so invincible. He is, however, no longer considered the largest carnosaur; since digs in South America and North Africa unearthed the Giganotosaurus and the Carcharodontosaurus respectively.
III. Fossils
A. Discuss fossils with the children – Fossils are dinosaur leftovers. Suggestion: Using modeling clay and plastic dinosaur models, make your own fossils by pressing the dinosaur models into the clay. The impression left in the clay is a reasonable facsimile of a fossil.
Dinosaur fossils include: Bones, Teeth, Eggs, Skin, Footprints, Imprints of skeletons left in rocks, and dinosaur dung -also called coprilite).
B. Using picture books, explain excavation - digging up the bones and paleontologist (a scientist who studies dinosaurs) to the children.
C. Dramatic Play: How to go on a dinosaur dig in the classroom.
1. Divide the children into two groups: fossils and paleontologists.
2. Instruct the fossils to hide. Make sure you have enough fossils to put together a 4 footed plant eater. Only a quadruped will be able to do step 5.
3. Decide with the paleontologists which and how many bones you might find on this 'dig'. Each bone must touch another bone when assembled.
4. Help your paleontologists assemble the bones of this 4 footed plant eater.
5. Decide with the children how the dinosaur sounded. Using a magic sound or wand, bring the dinosaur to life for a few moments. Let the dinosaur slowly move around the room, emitting those sounds.
IV. Ways of illustrating Dinosaur size and shape
A. In The Belly of the Beast: Convert the entire classroom into the inside of a large theropod (Chances are the children will want it to be a T.rex.)
1. Hang the rib cage, heart and lungs as cardboard cutouts from the ceiling.
2. Make the doorway into the dinosaur's mouth by hanging cardboard teeth.
3. Label various areas of the classroom accordingly (ie, the snack table as the stomach)
B. Dinosaur strides: Using masking tape, put one foot print of T. rex down on the floor. Then count 15’ to another spot on the floor. Put down another foot -print. Have the children count how many strides of theirs equals one stride of T. rex.
C. Size Comparisons: Using your school building, mark off the length of a large sauropod in the hallway of the school. The diplodocus was 90 feet long.
Other comparisons: Triceratops - a dump truck., Stegosaurus - a Volkswagen
T.rex - a 2 story school building
Vocabulary List:
Mesozoic Era: A division of geological history, from 225 to 65 million years ago. This “age of the dinosaurs” and marine and flying reptiles includes the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods.
Triassic Period: The first division of the Mesozoic Era and the beginning of the Quaternary Period, when the major mountain ranges were formed. It began 225 million years ago and ended 190 million years ago. Dinosaurs appeared in the middle of this period.
Jurassic Period: The second division of the Mesozoic Era, from 190 to 135 million years ago. Named for the Jura Mountains of France and Switzerland, because of the rich fossil deposits in the rocks of those mountains. The largest known dinosaurs lived during this period.
Cretaceous Period:( chalk age)The third and last periods of the Mesozoic Era It began about 135 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago. At the end of this geological time period, the dinosaurs became extinct.
Time Line: An outline diagraming the sequence of eras, or periods of time.
Archaeopteryx: (Ahr-kee-OP-terix) Not a dinosaur, but a crow sized Jurassic bird. Not the first bird necessarily, but one of the first, this feathered flyer had the teeth and claws of a meat eating dinosaur. So for many it represents the very real link between dinosaurs and birds. In fact the Natural History Museum in New York now refers to dinosaurs as “Flightless birds”. The first Archaeopteryx specimen ever found is owned by the Natural History Museum of London. It is considered to be one of the most valuable fossils in the world.
Microraptor: (MY kro RAP tor) If the fossils of this dinosaur are proven to be that of an adult, the Microraptor (at 16” long including the tail) would be the smallest dinosaur yet found. He lived in China in the Early Cretaceous Period, had a large brain and big eyes. His feet were adapted for climbing; maybe spent much of his life in trees. He had some birdlike features, including teeth like those of early birds. His most interesting feature is the “dinofuzz” found in his fossils imprints, leading scientists to see a more defined link between this raptor and birds.
Dinosaur: “Terrible Lizard” The name given to 2 separate kinds of extinct animals - the Saurischia and the Ornithischia - both orders of Archosauria, a subclass of Reptilia. These two kinds of animals were both scaly, egg-laying animals that walked erect, like mammals, lived on the land and were on the earth during the Mesozoic Era only.
Evidence: Outward sign, proof, testimony
Excavate: To dig up.
Extinction: The dying out of a group of plants or animals
Fossil: The remains, impression, or trace of a plant or animal of past geological ages that has been preserved in the earth’s crust.
Hadrosaur: A heavy, planteating dinosaur, more than 30 feet long, with a large head; a broad, duck like bill and many small teeth.
Iguanodon: (ig-WAHN-o-don) An early Cretaceous dinosaur, the largest known specimens were 25 feet long, 15 feet tall and weighted 5 tons. This plant eating biped had three -toed feet and a fairly horse shaped face. Traces of iguanodonts have been found on every continent except Antarctica.
Paleontologist: (expert on ancient life) One who studies fossil remains of plants and animals, including dinosaurs, and the history of life.
Parasaurolophus: A type of hadrosaurus, a planteating dinosaur that lived in the swamps of what is now New Jersey, with a long tubular crest that must have given it a resonating voice.
Species: A biological classification of individuals having common attributes and designated by common name.
Theory: An idea that explains the evidence and ties it together.
Tyrannosaurus rex: (ty-RAN-o-sawr-us) One of the last and largest known carnosaurs, the T.rex is probably the most famous dinosaur of all time. Until a few years ago it was considered to be the largest meat eating dinosaur. First the Giganotosaurus was discovered in Pangea and reported to be larger than T.rex. Then the Carcharodontosaurus (shark toothed reptile) was unearthed in the Sahara by a party led by University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno. At five feet four inches the skull measures a few inches longer than that of the largest T.rex and so T.rex’s crown is drooping but not totally fallen. He’s still rex so he’s still the king.
Puppet Vocabulary
Body puppet: The puppeteer gets inside the puppet costume and works the puppet’s mouth with her hands, sometimes using bicycle brake cables. The puppet’s limbs and movements are really the puppeteer’s limbs and movements.
Hand puppet: The puppeteer places one hand inside the puppet and uses that hand to control the puppet’s mouth. The puppeteer sits below the puppet on a puppet stool with her arms overhead.
Rod puppet: Operated by the puppeteer from below by manipulating rods attached to the body, hands and head of the puppet.
Marionette: Operated by the puppeteer from above by strings attached to the puppet’s head, arms, body, and legs and gathered in a wooden “control” that is held by the puppeteer. Our marionettes will have 15 strings on the control.
Puppeteer: the person who animates the puppet, making it come alive. Puppeteers can also be puppet builders.
Puppets in this show:
Marionette - Shaow Shaow the Microraptor
Hand puppets - Roxie Regina
Arabela Archaeopteryx
Body puppets - Harry the Honker
Thumbs the Iguanodons
Zino the Therizinosaurus
Combination puppets - Gabi & Gobi Gallimimus
Library Resources: (Books about children and the public library)
When I Went To The Library.
by Debora Pearson(Editor). Groundwood Books, 2002
ISBN# 088899513X
This collection of 9 diverse stories by authors like Tim Wynne-Jones and Sarah Ellis illustrates the profound influence of libraries and books. The stories show how important a role the public library can play in introducing children to worlds beyond their own. Libraries provide children with a place to experience the power and pleasure of reading.
Tomas and The Library Lady.
by Raul Colon (illustrator) and Pat Mora (Author)
Dragonfly Publishing, 2000.
ISBN# 0375803491
Based on a true story this wonderfully illustrated book tells the tale of Tomas Rivera and the kind librarian who helped him learn to love books. Rivera was the child of migrant workers who grew up to become a university chancellor. Available in English and in Spanish, this book is recommended for ages 4-8.
I Took My Frog To The Library
by Eric A. Kimmel
Bt. Bound, 1999.
ISBN# 0833580876
Recommended for preschool through second grade, this is the story of animals in the library. When Bridgett brings her pets to the library, the hyena laughs so loudly nobody can hear te story, the giraffe tries to read over everybody’s shoulder, and the frog jumps onto the checkout desk, scaring the librarians. But it’s the well-behaved elephant who causes the biggest problems of all. Wacky, funny story with ludicrous situations.
Beverly Billingsly Borrows a Book
by Alexander Sadtler
Silver Whistle Publishers, 2002
ISBN# 0152025103
One very special morning Beverly Billingsly becomes a proud new card-carrying member of the Piedmont Public Library. What happens when she forgets to return her book by its due date? Will Beverly ever be able to borrow another book? Beverly and her favorite librarian, Mrs. DelRubio, prove just how friendly a place the library can be. This is Mr. Sadtler’s first picture book and his illustrations and simple story have been very well received by critics and library fans alike.
The Library Dragon
by Carmen Agra Deedy, Michael P. White (Illustrator)
Peachtree Publishers, 1994
ISBN#156145091X
The main character in this book, is Miss Lotta Scales. The two minor characters are Miss Lemon (the kindergarten teacher) and Molly Brickmeyer, a student. At Sunrise Elementary School the new librarian is a dragon, who wouldn’t let the children touch the books. The children are starting to hate library day. Miss Lemon tries to reason with the librarian to no avail. It takes a child, reading a book out loud to her fellow students, to affect Miss Lotta Scales. The library dragon is quietly transformed into Miss Lotty, librarian and storyteller.
Library Lil
by Suzanne Williams
Turtleback Books distributed by Demco Media, 2001
ISBN# 0606212930
This original tall tale by a real-life librarian, combined with Steven Kellogg’s trademark humor, is better than any TV show! Lil the librarian is discouraged because no one comes to her dynamite story times, and no one checks out her terrific new books. The whole town would rather watch TV. Then a power outage gives Lil the chance to push reading on the town’s populace. But then Bust-’em-up Bill roars into town with his motorcycle gang. He hates reading. A showdown between Lil and Bill seems inevitable.
“A winner for story times anywhere.” - School Library Journal, starred review
Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair
by Patricia Polacco
Philomel Books, 1996
ISBN#0399229434
A cautionary tale that will appeal to anyone who believes in the power and magic of books. A huge TV tower is put up in the town of Triple Creek and Aunt Chip predicts there will be dire consequences. She’s right. Fifty years later the townspeople are so obsessed with their TVs that they’ve forgotten how to read. They use books as furniture, to fix crumbling walls, to patch up buildings ... but no one knows how to read. Aunt Chip, who used to be the town’s librarian, decides to do something about it. Starting with her nephew, Eli, she teaches the children of the town how to read. Soon the children become hungry for books. In their frenzy to read books, the children pull a copy of Moby Dick out of the town’s dam, which causes a flood that destroys the TV tower and changes the future of the town. The illustrations match the story for the author’s passion for books and reading. It’s contagious. For ages 5 to 8.
Dinosaur Book Resources
Aliki. Dinosaurs Are Different. Harper and Row. New York, 1985.
–––––– Dinosaur Bones. Thomas Y. Crowell. New York, 1988.
–––––– Digging Up Dinosaurs. Harper and Row. New York, 1988.
Sattler, Helen Roney. The New Illustrated Dinosaur Dictionary. Lothrop Lee and Shepard. New York, 1990.
Dinosaurs on the Internet
www.dinodon.com
www.dinosauria.com
www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs
www.nationalgeographic.com (more sophisticated information)
www.dinorock.com
You can always reach us through our email at: dinorock@earthlink.net
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