Investigating the Past Life with Safari Toob Fossils

We love our Safari Toob!  I think every ‘Mom’schooler should have at least a set or two of these toobs.  They are fabulous learning materials and my kids love them!

Anyway, Mavi is officially joining Vito’s weekly themed activities as he’s almost done with school. He misses “Mom” school and urged me to let him join with the activities.  So while Vito is all about play and learn, I’m giving Mavi some serious investigative work like research, more readings, and selective hands-on activities.


So what more can a 7 year old do with fossils?  A lot actually!  In this lesson period, we talked about each fossil figure that we have and compared it to the present life counterpart. As you can see, I've set this up in our shelf for both of the boys to explore.


What’s in the shelf:

• Kinetic Sand (brown)
• Safari Toob Seashells
• Safari Toob Ancient Fossils
• Fossils Tell of Long Ago (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2) (Book Depository). We love this science book series!
• Magnifier
• Dig Up Tools
• Printed fossil materials for comparison
• Real shells and dead corals from the Philippines

While Vito was napping, Mavi and and I read the book and talked about the fossils in the tray. Here’s what we have achieved in a matter of 30 minutes:

• Recorded the characteristics of each fossil and identified if it’s present day counterpart is extinct or not.
• Identified the part that has been preserved (skull, leg, tooth, etc.)
• Reviewed where these fossils have been found or discovered.

As you can see, I created cards from the information included in the Ancient Fossils toob and made Mavi match them to the figures.  Unfortunately I don't have permission to redistribute the information cards.  I am so impressed on how he’s able to identify all of them based on the description that is written in the cards.  He even discussed to me a few more facts about the ammonites and the dinosaur fossils!



Later on, we made some fossils and identified each type. You can read about the activity here (Hands-on Learning on the Types of Fossils)


It was a productive and meaningful short lesson on fossils.  I realized that it’s easier to combine the activities of your grade-schooler with your toddler as well.

Follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google Plus, Instagram or Twitter for updates!  More learning materials at Pinay Homeschooler Shop.

Pin this for later!