How do you make a scientific model of a seashell? How do you make and use model fossils of seashells? Making models is a high level scientific practice. In this lesson, students make a physical model of a seashell from clay or materials of their choice. They then compare their model to the real shell for color, texture, weight, and form. An extension lesson is added where students make a fossil of a shell and then try to match the fossils to real shells as a paleontologist might. Teacher instructions, scoring rubric, recording page, and an extension lesson on fossils are included in this lesson packet.

This lesson is in the green book Rising to the Challenge of the National Science Education Standards, also sold on this website. This is lesson eight of nine process skill lessons on shells that will also be available for purchase as a bundle.