An extinction discussion needs an authoritative account to work from

Begin with a suitable museum explanation and identify the evidence it presents. Children can still ask imaginative questions, provided unsupported suggestions are not treated as equally established simply because they sound interesting.

Ask which statements the source treats as established and which remain under investigation. Avoid turning an evidence question into a vote on favourite explanations.

Distinguish the source account from new speculation

A learner's imaginative explanation should remain labelled as a hypothesis.

Read the account. Identify its evidence. Write remaining questions.

Avoid treating unsupported guesses as equally established. Which explanation is source-supported?

Use a short educator summary.

Resources

• Fossil Clue Partner Game — Use the paper clues as a classroom evidence model.

Further reading

• Smithsonian — palaeontology teaching resources

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