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Pawprints in the Cement

In the provided pictures, the characteristics and presence of a mystery animal’s footprints are found in cement in Waverly, Iowa. 

Location
Waverly, Iowa

Possible Guiding, Compelling and/or Anchoring Questions

  • What animal do you think created the pawprints?
  • What animals do we have in Iowa that can leave pawprints? 
  • Are there animals that can be ruled out based on the habitat the footprints are located in? 

After Discovery…  

  • What might be a habitat this animal would not live in?  
  • What animals could live in that habitat? Compare.

Classroom Suggestions

  • Provide students with resources showing different animals and the prints the animals make. Have students investigate the resources (books, articles, or websites) to find the pawprint the student thinks best looks like the print in the picture. 
  • Take students on a scavenger hunt to observe the wildlife in Iowa. Ask students to take notes on what they see (similarities and differences).  
  • Schedule a field trip to a neighboring town and search for other animal prints. Did students find matching prints, or new prints? Discuss the animals discovered and the diversity of life between Waverly and its neighboring habitat.  
  • Ask students to select an animal from the Arctic and compare their habitat to the habitat of the squirrel.

Related Resources

Iowa Core Alignment

2-LS4-1:

Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats

Credit Info

Submitted by Ambriel Jacobs and Joy Smith

REAPCorporation for Public BroadcastingAlliant EnergyMusco Lighting Pella