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Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

Elementary Science Ideas, Lessons, and Resources

Food Chains Through Animal Track Mold Inquiry Lesson Idea for Science with Interactive Notebook Ideas

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Interested in a really great project that will help students develop the process skills for science? Do you want to do more STEM activities in your classroom?

Look no further!  Animal Track Molds are a great activity!

Materials:

baggie
measuring cups
track molds
plaster of paris
water

Directions:

1. Have students select a track mold.

2. Tell them they need a ratio of 2:1 plaster of paris to water.

3. Place ingredients in a ziplock baggie and SEAL the baggie to mix.

4. Have students mix until they have the consistency of a melted milkshake.

5. Cut a small hole in the baggie and squeeze contents into mold.

6. Tap sides of mold to remove bubbles.

Let the mold sit and dry for about 2 hours. 

 Pop the mold out and it is time for a great discussion.

Questions you can ask your students:

What do you notice about your mold?
Why do some molds have an H and some have an F on them? (hind and front)
Is your animal native to this area?
Is your animal a predator or prey animal?
Does you animal have claws showing in the mold?  Why or why not?

Concepts you can teach through track molds:

classifying animals
animals adaptations
predator and prey relationships
animal habitats
food chains
measuring, estimating and ratio (the plaster of paris)

Track molds can be ordered through Acorn Naturists as well as these stencils and this carnivore  game.

Ideas for Interactive Notebook
Here is a Free Window Fold for you to save to your desktop and print for your students.  

Window fold template above in available in my product:  Foldable Template Super Pack Over 50 Foldable Templates

You might also like my science units like Integrated Owl Pellet Unit

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Special thanks to Dave Francis, Utah State University

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I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!

 
Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit

Tina S

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:05:39-06:00

Tina S

I am so impressed with this unit which manages to be distance learning and hands-on at the same time.  Really well thought out and engaging activities that allow students to practice each of the eight Science and Engineering Practices.  Really no prep for me!   Science and Engineering Practices Distance Education Unit
The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!

 
Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2

Richard S

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:07:52-06:00

Richard S

The elephant article was excellent but I also thought the lab on dissecting a flower was broken down so easily, even telling me where to get inexpensive flowers!  This resource helped me teach this challenging standard in an engaging way.  Worth every penny!   Structure and Function NGSS 4-LS1-1 and 4-LS1-2
As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.

 
Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4

Sharon M

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
5
2016-05-03T18:24:44-06:00

Sharon M

As always, Lynda provides perfect alignment with the standards.   Age of the Earth and Geologic Time Scale NGSS MS ESS1-4
Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.

 
Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning

Expedition Fourth

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
2020-11-03T20:44:55-07:00

Expedition Fourth

Thank you so much for creating this resource! It is such a fun and engaging activity for my students, especially during distance learning.   Honey Bee Digital Escape Distance Learning
My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.

 
Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer

Heidi J

Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams
2020-11-03T20:45:49-07:00

Heidi J

My students loved this unit. I was able to present different elements of it throughout the month. It is hard to find interesting non-fictional, age-appropriate text for my students that they will enjoy. This was a great unit that aligned well for my students who have very different goals within the same group.   Compare and Contrast Two Texts on Reindeer
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Teaching Science with Lynda R. Williams

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