They once roamed and ruled the earth-creatures so large that the largest mammals today pale in comparison. Dinosaur! pieces together the clues of the world's greatest detective story, the story of the dinosaurs. Using state-of-the-art animation, this visual encyclopedia offers insight into these creatures that continue to intrigue scientists as well as school children. From the 1824 discovery of a giant tooth which rocked the foundations of scientific thinking, to the staggering theories of today, this is a story as big as the earth and as great as all time. Dinosaur! would be useful for classes on Science, Geography, Biology and History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Fossil Rush: Tale of a Bone

In the 1870s a "bone rush" led to amazing scenes as fossil-hunters risked life and limb in their quest for dinosaur remains. Nowadays, dino-detection is an exact science, but the discoveries are just as exciting.

• bipedal
• bonanza
• carnivore
• chronological
• cunning
• curator
• deposition
• excavation
• exhume
• extinct
• geologist
• herbivore
• libel
• misarticulate
• ornery
• philanthropy
• rarity
• sleuth
• tangible
• wane

1. America loves dinosaurs. So much so, that dinosaurs are big business in the United States. How are dinosaurs a business? How did Americans create the business of dinosaurs?

2. Are dinosaurs a part of the American culture? If so, how? How did they become so ingrained in our culture? What do they represent? Why are Americans so enamored of dinosaurs?

3. The dinosaur "bone rush" occurred about the same time as the "gold rush" in the mid-19th century. Compare gold prospectors with dinosaur hunters in the 19th century. How are they alike? How are they different? Discuss the impact of each on American history.

4. Discuss the dinosaur "bone wars."Why and how did they occur? How did this "war" fuel and encourage more dinosaur finds?

5. Dinosaur bones found today are over 150 million years old. Discuss the necessary conditions for dinosaur bones to survive for millions of years.

6. Andrew Carnegie was a great aficionado of dinosaurs. How did his money and prestige aid the discovery of dinosaur finds? Why was his largest and most famous specimen called "star-spangled?"

7. We may think of bones as basic and simple, but in reality they are engineering marvels, especially dinosaur bones. Discuss how dinosaur bones are examples of designing and engineering brilliance. How do the unique design of dinosaur bones contribute to the greatness of the species?

8. Discuss the significance of finding a dinosaur skull with some fossilized skin attached.

1. Animation is achieved by making many individual pictures or "cells" and rapidly flipping through them. Create your own animated dinosaur, much like the animated Gertie of the 1920s.

2. Research the different categories of dinosaurs and create a chart that illustrates these dinosaurs and their similarities and differences.

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