Elementary school children have been fascinated by dinosaurs from the moment science units on these extinct reptiles were introduced into classrooms. Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) is a particular favorite, in spite of its brutal reputation as the ultimate carnivore. Weighing in at 7.5 tons and 42 feet in length, T. rex fossils have been found in western North America. Hands-on science learning projects can include creating three-dimensional models of dinosaurs. A class could fit a group project-generated T. rex tail (roughly 20 feet long) into a stretch of the room. The tail was stiff, conical in shape, and tapered down to a sharp point at the end. With a little chicken wire and a lot of papier-mache, a T. rex tail can be made.
- Roll of chicken wire, 2 feet by 30 feet
- Wire cutters
- Gloves
- 19-gauge wire
- Newspaper, ripped into 2-inch strips
- Papier-mache mix (equal parts water and flour in bowls)
- 20-foot tarp (to protect the classroom floor from drying papier-mache)
- Masking tape
- Permanent marker
- Acrylic paint in desired color(s)
- Paint brushes
- Old T-shirts to protect clothes
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Instructions
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1
Clear a space in the classroom for the tarp. Lay the tarp down.
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2
Place a length of masking tape along the 20-foot side of the tarp. Mark the tape at 1-foot intervals.
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3
Open up the roll of chicken wire. Wear gloves to protect tender skin.
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4
Create the body-end of the tail by bending the chicken wire along the 2-foot width into a circle. As needed, hold the chicken wire sides together with twisted pieces of 19-gauge wire.
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5
Continue to fold the chicken wire into a cone, with the cone diameter consistently decreasing down the length of the T. rex tail.
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6
End the tail at the 20-foot mark on the tarp. Cut any excess chicken wire off with the wire cutters. Bend any dangling wires into the tail cone.
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7
Dip newspaper strips into flour/water mixture, wiping excess off with fingers. Lay the strip over the chicken wire. Repeat until the T. rex tail is completely covered with papier-mache strips. Let air dry completely.
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8
Paint in desired acrylic colors. Remove the tarp, and display the completed T. rex tail in a spot of honor in the classroom!