Finding the First T. Rex (Totally True Adventures): How a Giant Meat-Eater was Dug Up...
Totally True Adventures Series
What’s inside...
IN 1902, WILLIAM HORNADAY handed a map to the famous paleontologist Barnum Brown. It was Hornadays hand-drawn directions to a remote area of the Montana Badlands, where he believed amazing dinosaur fossils lay buried. Following the map, Brown dug up a jawbone edged with six-inch long teeth, the remains of a monstrous creature no one had ever seen before. But one bone wasnt enough, and Brown soon found himself in a desperate race to discover the skeleton of the mystery carnivore!From the Trade Paperback edition.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think it was important for scientists to find the first T. Rex skeleton?
How do you think the discovery of the T. Rex has changed the way we understand dinosaurs and prehistoric life?
What qualities do you think a paleontologist needs to have to make such a discovery?
If you were a paleontologist, what dinosaur would you like to discover and why?
How do you feel about the teamwork involved in unearthing and preserving fossils?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by expressing your own fascination with dinosaurs to spark your child’s interest.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves as paleontologists, asking how they would feel and what tools they might need on a dig.
Discuss the perseverance and patience required in scientific discoveries, relating it to everyday situations like completing a difficult homework assignment or learning a new skill.
Use the book's illustrations and descriptions to visualize the environments and challenges faced by paleontologists, making the discussion more vivid and engaging.
Highlight the teamwork aspect of the story and link it to the importance of collaboration in achieving shared goals, whether in school projects or family activities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book details the challenging process of discovering and excavating the first T. Rex fossil, highlighting the determination and persistent efforts of the scientists involved.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of staying committed to their goals, despite difficulties or delays, which is applicable in their studies, sports, or any personal projects.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The discovery of the T. Rex fossil was made possible through the collective effort of multiple people, including paleontologists, volunteers, and local experts.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, whether in group projects at school or in community activities.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: The story focuses on the scientific curiosity that drives the discovery and study of dinosaurs, emphasizing the joy and fulfillment in learning new things.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore their own interests and seek knowledge, understanding that education is a lifelong adventure.
Example Lesson: Respect for History and Nature
Explanation: Through the excavation of the T. Rex, the book touches on the importance of preserving historical artifacts and respecting the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and care for the environment and to understand the significance of historical events and discoveries in shaping our world.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: The characters in the story encounter various challenges during the excavation process and must come up with creative solutions to overcome them.
Real-World Application: This shows children that problems can be opportunities for innovation and that critical thinking is key to finding effective solutions in daily life.