Science Goes Back in Time: Making a Mummy & Digging Up Dinosaurs
About this ebook
The Smithsonian Dual Discovery Flip Book: Digging Up Dinosaurs and Making a Mummy takes readers back in time to uncover ancient civilizations and Earth’s prehistoric past. Designed for grades 3-5, this two-in-one resource blends archaeology, paleontology, and Smithsonian accuracy to spark discovery and critical thinking. Students learn how scientists use modern technology to study mummies and reveal long-hidden secrets, and they explore how fossils form and reshape our understanding of dinosaurs.
Inside, students will explore:
Digging Up Dinosaurs – The process of fossil discovery, from excavation to reconstruction. Students investigate how fossils form, what they reveal about dinosaur behavior and environments, and how new discoveries can change scientific theories about evolution and extinction.
Making a Mummy – The science of archaeology and modern tools like CT scans and DNA testing. Students discover how these techniques reveal details about the diet, health, and rituals of ancient civilizations, and why preserving artifacts is key to understanding human history.
Digging Up Dinosaurs – The process of fossil discovery, from excavation to reconstruction. Students investigate how fossils form, what they reveal about dinosaur behavior and environments, and how new discoveries can change scientific theories about evolution and extinction.
Packed with Smithsonian-approved facts, interactive STEAM activities, and real-world science connections, this flip book brings history and science to life. Ideal for classrooms, libraries, or home use, it nurtures curiosity and inspires future scientists and explorers.
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About the author
Dona Herweck Rice is the prolific author of books, stories, and poems for children of all ages. She’s written hundreds of books and more on just about every topic under the sun, from acrobats to zucchini and everything in between. She has also written award-winning books and curriculums for educators, especially on the subjects of writing and language arts. In fact, her first publications were a series for teachers on how to teach writing in the classroom. She spearheaded the development of Write TIME for Kids, which earned the Golden Lamp award for curriculum from the Association of American Publishers. Her writing is featured heavily in such acclaimed series as Focused Phonics, Untold Stories, Fiction Readers, Nonfiction Readers, Learn and Create, and more.
Dona’s best-selling children’s title with more than 13,000 copies is How Plants Grow, and her most recent titles include dozens of books for the Exploration Storytime series, two titles in the Curious Me!™ board book series, and Ride with Rampage in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. When Dona visits classrooms to talk about being an author, the most requested titles include History’s Mysteries, Bad Guys and Gals of the Wild West, and Oh, Rats!––the latter being one of Dona’s particular favorites.
Dona is the creator of Cam E. Chameleon, the enchanting little reptile featured in her books The Adventures of Cam E. Chameleon and Cam and Sam’s Colorful Adventure. Observant readers can also find Cam singing and dancing throughout the illustrated retelling of If You’re Happy and You Know It.
Writing is Dona’s passion, but she also loves reading, live theater, and handmade arts and crafts, with many artists and creatives in all mediums among her extended family. Dona was a preschool and middle school teacher and is an acting coach for all ages. She lives in southern California with her husband, son, and one cute, silly, and loveable little dog.
