Planet Earth and Beyond: Fossils and Sedimentary Rocks (Grade 5)

FOSSIL FACTS

100

What is a fossil?

A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of ancient living things, such as bones, teeth, or footprints.

Fact: 

Fossils give scientists important clues about life that existed millions of years ago. They help us understand what plants and animals looked like, how they lived, and how life has changed over time.

200

How does something become a fossil?

It must be buried quickly under sediment, where minerals replace the organic parts over time.

Fact: 

This process is called fossilisation. It often happens in rivers, lakes, or oceans where dead organisms are quickly covered by mud or sand.

300

Why don’t all animals become fossils?

Many organisms decay or are eaten before they can fossilize; fossilization needs special conditions.

Fact: 

Fossilization is rare because it requires fast burial and the right environmental conditions. Most organisms disappear before becoming fossils.

400

What conditions help fossils form?

Rapid burial, low oxygen, and mineral-rich water help fossils form.

Fact:

These conditions slow down decay and allow minerals to replace the body parts, turning them into stone over time.

500

What can fossils tell us about the past?

Fossils give us clues about ancient environments, extinct organisms, and evolutionary changes.

Facts:

By studying fossils, scientists can build a timeline of Earth’s history and how different life forms evolved.

ROCK TALK

100

Name 3 types of rocks.

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.

Facts:

These rock types form in different ways: igneous from cooled lava, sedimentary from compressed particles, and metamorphic through heat and pressure.

200

Which rock forms from lava?

Igneous rock.

Fact:

Igneous rocks form when magma or lava cools and hardens, like granite or basalt.

300

Which rock type usually contains fossils?

Sedimentary rock.

Fact:

Because these rocks form from layers of mud or sand, they often trap and preserve remains of organisms.

400

Give one use for each rock type.

Igneous – building stone (granite); Sedimentary – chalk for writing or limestone for cement; Metamorphic – marble for sculptures.

Fact:

Different rock types are used in daily life because of their unique properties like hardness, texture, and appearance.

500

How do rocks change from one type to another?

Through the rock cycle – heat, pressure, melting, cooling, erosion, and sedimentation.

Fact:

The rock cycle shows how rocks constantly change form over time through Earth’s processes.

MODERN VS FOSSIL

100

Match this fossil to a modern animal

Trilobite matches to a modern crab – both have hard exoskeletons

200

What features help us match fossils to modern creatures?

Body shape, bones, teeth, size, and structure.

Fact:

Scientists use physical features to compare fossils to living organisms and identify relationships.

300

How do fossils show change over time?

They show how species evolved, adapted, or went extinct.

Fact:

By comparing older and newer fossils, we can trace how life on Earth developed over millions of years.

400

True or false: All animals leave fossils. Explain.

False. Many soft-bodied organisms decay before fossilizing.

Fact:

Fossils are more likely to form from organisms with hard parts like bones or shells.

500

What does it mean if a fossil has no modern match?

It could be an extinct species, or we haven’t discovered its modern relative yet.

Fact:

Some fossils belong to species that no longer exist, giving us insights into life that has vanished.

FOSSIL SITES IN SA

100

Mark the following provinces based on where you would find the following fossil sites:
- Cradle of Humankind 

- Elandsfontein

- Matatiele Dinosaur Footprints 

- Cradle of Humankind > Gauteng 

- Elandsfontein > Western Cape 

- Matatiele Dinosaur Footprints > Eastern Cape  

200

What fossils are found in the Karoo?

Fossils of ancient reptiles and mammal-like reptiles.

Fact:

The Karoo Basin holds some of the oldest and most diverse land-based vertebrate fossils in the world.

300

Why are SA fossil sites important?

They help us understand early human evolution and ancient ecosystems.

Fact:

South Africa’s fossil sites provide valuable information about life millions of years ago and the development of early life forms.

400

What kind of fossils are found near Sterkfontein Caves?

Early human ancestors (hominid fossils) and tools.

Fact:

Sterkfontein is one of the most important sites for studying early hominins like Australopithecus.

500

What makes the Karoo fossil record unique?

It spans millions of years and includes early life forms before dinosaurs.

Fact:

The Karoo is a window into prehistoric life from a time before the age of dinosaurs, capturing an evolutionary snapshot of the Permian period.

MYSTERY IMAGES

100

Is this a fossil? State your reason. 

Yes, it is a plant fossil preserved inside a rock.

Fact:

Recognising fossils requires careful observation of shape, texture, and mineral patterns that differ from modern bones or rocks.

200

Label the three types of rocks shown below

Metamorphic RockSedimentary RockIgneous Rock 

 Facts:

Each rock type has distinct patterns. Sedimentary rocks have layers, igneous rocks have crystals, and metamorphic rocks may show bands.

300

Label the images by defining which is a body fossil and a trace fossil. State your reasoning

Body Fossil: Whole body of creature is visible

Trace Fossil: Footprint of creature is only visible

400

What is wrong with this fossil? 

Learners might spot plastic materials on fossil
incorrect textures, unrealistic bones, or generated photo

Fact:

Fake fossils may have unnatural shine, plastic seams, or incorrect shapes. Recognising authentic fossils is a scientific skill.

500

Observe the image below: State your reason why this fossil was affected by weathering.

Following reasons should be mentioned:
- Signs of cracks

- Fading colours

- Erosion

Fact:

Weathering causes fossils to erode, lose detail, or break. These changes help scientists estimate fossil age and exposure.