LAINEY LOSKEMAP: PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Fossil Diorama
Task to be carried out:
Students will create a Fossil Diorama using a shoebox to represent
the environment in which fossils are created in. Students will also use
different materials to make figurines that would represent the plants or
creatures that created the fossils. Students will have to use critical and
creatively when creating their fossil dioramas. Students will have to use a
variety of materials and resources to create an environments such as
construction paper, glue, play-dough, figurines, and etc.

Focus of task:
The diorama will display students understanding of the environment
in which different types of fossils were created in.
Suggested Materials to use for diorama:
Shoebox
Card stock
Newspapers
Crayons or colored pencils
Acrylic paint
Paint brush
Craft sticks
White glue
Scissors
Cardboard or paper plate

Instruction to be carried out: I would show an example of a diorama to the

class.

LAINEY LOSKEMAP: PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

1. Use a shoebox to display their fossil environment.

2. Position shoebox where the lid of the shoebox is at the bottom.
3. Think about the materials you will use to create an environment in
which fossils have been created in. For example, if you choose a
muddy area near a body of water you can use blue construction
paper and crushed up Oreos as your mud. Anything goes! Use your
imagination and be creative.
Here are some suggestions:
4. Create background you can used paint or paper to create a sky,
forest, etc.
5. Add background details.
6. Create fossils using clay, Play-Doh, or paper.
7. Use paper or even real-life ferns to represent the trees.
8. Build the ground by using newspapers or aluminum foil
Anything goes! Use your imagination!
After finishing your diorama you will then need to write a 1 page
summary describing your environment represented in your diorama
and all the materials you used. You will then get to showcase your
diorama to the whole class explaining what you created.

LAINEY LOSKEMAP: PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

RUBRIC

3
Diorama accurately
shows the
environment in which
fossils are found in.
Written Summary is
complete and
accurately describes
the procedure and
materials used to
create the diorama.

2
Diorama
passably
shows fossils
environment.
Written
summary is
complete and
somewhat
sufficient in
providing the
procedures
used to carry
out this
project.

Diorama is somewhat
clear about the
environment of where
fossils are found in.
Written summary is
somewhat complete.

Diorama does not

clearly show the
environment of where
fossils are found or
student did not
complete the project.
The written summary
is not complete.