Dinosaurs Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Read the movie description that appears below the movie player on the Dinosaurs Topic Page. Then use the following prompts to encourage class discussion before, during, and after watching the movie.

Before the Movie

What dinosaurs do you know of?

If you’re a dinosaur fan, which is your favorite and why? Least favorite?  

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:50: What might paleontologists learn from footprints?

Timecode 2:29: How does Pangea explain why dinosaur fossils are found on every continent?

Timecode 3:09: What does the information about rock layers say about how paleontologists work? 

Timecode 4:30: Why might larger animals have survived the first mass extinction? 

Timecode 5:26: How might hunting in packs have been an important evolution? 

Timecode 6:10: How was this mass extinction very different from the previous one?

After the Movie

Why is the Mesozoic Era broken down into different periods? 

Why do you think dinosaurs so popular with kids and in the entertainment culture?

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.