An on-location lesson in museums and dinosaur digs shows how paleontologists perform their fascinating unearthing of the past. National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources. Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Complete beginner's guide, with vertebrate and invertebrate fossil descriptions.

How did those enormous dinosaur skeletons get inside the museum? Long ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Then, suddenly, they died out. For thousands of years, no one knew these giant creatures had ever existed. Then people began finding fossils -- bones and teeth and footprints that had turned to stone. Today, teams of experts work together to dig dinosaur fossils out of the ground, bone by fragile bone. Then they put the skeletons together again inside museums, to look just like the dinosaurs of millions of years ago.

You stare at the side of a rock wall near the ocean. Suddenly, you notice a spiral outline in the rock. You found an ammonite fossil! You are filled with awe as you think about how this shelled sea animal might have lived millions of years ago. Find out how fossils form, where they can be found, and about some of the most amazing fossil discoveries. Then learn how you can find fossils too!

Book Features: • 16 pages, 7.5 inches x 10 inches • Ages 4-8, PreK-Grade 2 leveled readers • Simple, easy-to-read pages with vibrant illustrations • Features reading/teaching tips and comprehension questions • Photo glossary and index included The Magic of Reading: Introduce your child to the magic of reading and dinosaurs with I Dig Dinosaurs! The 16-page book has vibrant illustrations and simple, easy-to-read language with interesting facts your child will love! Hands-On Reading: Paleontologists are scientists who dig for bones. Dig into the world of paleontology and find out what exciting things (and creatures!) they've discovered, and more! Features: More than just an engaging story full of fun and interesting facts about paleontology and discovering a dinosaur fossil, this kids book also includes a photo glossary, comprehension questions, and reading tips for added guidance. Leveled Books: Vibrant illustrations and leveled text work together to engage children and promote reading comprehension skills. This book engages PreK-Grade 2 readers with science for kids, fun facts, and engaging topics like dinosaurs and fossils. Why Rourke Educational Media: Since 1980, Rourke Publishing Company has specialized in publishing engaging and diverse non-fiction and fiction books for children in a wide range of subjects that support reading success on a level that has no limits.

Dig into this photo-packed Penguin-Smithsonian book about fossils—and find out what was going on in our world. Aren't you curious about what Earth was like long ago? What creatures lived before us? What happened to the dinosaurs? Curious about Fossils explains why and where fossils form and looks at the colorful lives and important discoveries of some of the great early fossil hunters and collectors, including Mary Anning who unearthed the first ichthyosaur skeleton; Richard Owen who coined the word dinosaur; and Barnum Brown, who discovered the first remains of a T-rex. Then the adventure continues into modern times, where scientists on fossil hunts in places like North Dakota's Hell Creek Formation use computers and other technology to dig up the fossilized bones, teeth, and even poop that provide clues to the past. A must read for every kid who's ever collected a shark tooth or trilobite!