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ScienceDinosaurs & PaleontologyAges 9–11

The K-Pg Extinction Event

Describe the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) extinction event approximately 66 million years ago, including the asteroid impact theory and its evidence (iridium layer, Chicxulub crater), and understand that this ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs

Lesson

Set out your lesson

Link evidence to the asteroid explanation of the K-Pg extinction.

Before teaching

Activity

Ask the learner to explain one prerequisite idea before starting. If uncertain, revisit it; graph order is not learner readiness.

Policy

Check readiness rather than assuming source graph order establishes attainment.

Printer, credit, and teaching notes
Instructions

Use source-summary cards, not fabricated fossil observations. No precise event simulation claimed.

No Printer

Use the supplied stage cards on screen or scrap paper; adult key stays separate.

Materials are ready in each step. Use them on screen or print just the current step. Put teaching examples aside before the learner tries.

Next: Show

Adult extras
What this lesson covers and its limits

These are bounded opportunities, not learner attainment. Partial and blocked source requirements remain so.

  • partial: Describe the Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K-Pg) extinction event approximately 66 million years ago, including the asteroid impact theory and its evidence (iridium layer, Chicxulub crater), and understand that this ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs

    Bounded objective: Link evidence to the asteroid explanation of the K-Pg extinction. Primary study abstract/search excerpt checked; full article/data not reviewed. Older NASA 65-million wording preserved in research history, not used as the lesson date.

  • partial: State that the K-Pg extinction happened about 66 million years ago and wiped out non-avian dinosaurs

    About 66 Ma and non-avian qualification stated.

  • partial: Describe the asteroid impact hypothesis and name the Chicxulub crater in Mexico

    Impact/Chicxulub Mexico summary supplied.

  • partial: Explain one piece of evidence: the iridium-rich layer found worldwide in rocks from that time

    Primary study excerpt connects iridium marker and crater boundary; full data not reviewed.

  • partial: Can {{name}} explain what scientists think caused the dinosaurs to go extinct — and describe at least one piece of evidence for the asteroid theory?

    Try offers taught-source-evaluation for the bounded objective; it does not establish every part of the source assessment. Primary study abstract/search excerpt checked; full article/data not reviewed. Older NASA 65-million wording preserved in research history, not used as the lesson date.

  • Primary study abstract/search excerpt checked; full article/data not reviewed. Older NASA 65-million wording preserved in research history, not used as the lesson date.

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Teaching approaches

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1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

Link evidence to the asteroid explanation of the K-Pg extinction.

Link evidence to the asteroid explanation of the K-Pg extinction.

Family records and proof options

Keep a record of your learning

Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.

Learning resources

Extra practice links — they do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

National Park Service · Practice link — not the full lesson

Dinosaurs

Open practice (new tab)
Before you open · source notes

Dinosaurs supports The K-Pg Extinction Event. An adult previews and guides; this is a learning page, not a scored quiz.

Free educational page, no sign-in required for the tested path.

Before you open

Ask the learner one fact they learned and one question they still have.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Source, access and review notes

Public National Park Service page. An anonymous GET on 2026-11-12 returned HTTP 200 with no login or payment prompt for this URL. Opening the link does not save practice or assess mastery. An adult should preview and guide the learner.

National Park Service. “Dinosaurs.” External page; Gakuva does not copy, host, embed, or redistribute materials.

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

  • State that the K-Pg extinction happened about 66 million years ago and wiped out non-avian dinosaurs
  • Describe the asteroid impact hypothesis and name the Chicxulub crater in Mexico
  • Explain one piece of evidence: the iridium-rich layer found worldwide in rocks from that time
“Can your child explain what scientists think caused the dinosaurs to go extinct — and describe at least one piece of evidence for the asteroid theory?”

Curriculum record

Type
Conceptual
Subject
Science
Domain
Dinosaurs & Paleontology
Age range
Ages 9–11