Parasauralophus Model

This kindergarten class has been exceptionally interested in constructing things. Earlier in the year, they built a 2-metre leatherback turtle. After Christmas, they built a Franklin house. Now they decided they would like to build a dinosaur.

Our first step was to decide which dinosaur to build. We collected data to help us make the decision.

The duckbill dinosaur was the most popular choice.

The Parasauralophus was the favorite duckbill.

We started with a wood skeletal framework and began to measure out the chicken wire for forming the body shape.

It took the big tin snips and several children holding down the chicken wire to make cuts.

Each cut was labor intensive.

Then we wrapped the wire around the frame and made a rounded shape.

Rebar twist ties held the chicken wire together.

We used nonstandard measuring units to determine how long our pieces of wire should be.

We wrapped the chicken wire with plastic wrap to help hold the shape while we did the paper maché. It looks like the dinosaur has skin.

We used newspaper for the base coat of paper maché.