1. Probe
From Understanding Student Ideas in Science by Page Keeley – NSTA

2. Q: What do you think happened to most of the divos living on the island after their habitat changed?
The divos’ fur grew longer and thicker.
The divos switched to eating seeds.
The divos hibernated through the cold period until the habitat was warm again.
The divos died.

3. Strategy Four Corners Strategy
Write down your answer, and why you think so…
Go to the corner that matches your response
You have 5 minutes to discuss with your group why you think your corner is correct
From Science Formative Assessment: 75 Practical Strategies… - Keeley

4. Timer http://classtools.net/education-games-php/timer/
Ideas for Modification of This Formative Assessment
Timer
Use a timer to encourage sharing
Students can move if they change
their minds after sharing
Modifications:
Debate from seats or in mixed groups
Eliminate the written answers
More or fewer corners (choices)
A copy of the probe can be found at:

5. Oh Gray Wolf! Activity What do gray wolves need to survive? Food (elk)
Water (Maumee River)
Shelter (Elm and Ash trees)
Hands over head
Hands on stomach
Fingers to lips

6. Or play the “Oh Deer!” game in addition (see above link).
Oh Gray Wolf! Extension 1
Graph it!
See Oh Deer! Activity below for examples.
Or play the “Oh Deer!” game in addition (see above link).

7. Oh, Gray Wolf! Extension 2
Discuss how this relates to the Black Swamp and the many organisms that were native to northwest Ohio and how that changed once it was drained… Why?
Video Resource
The Story of the Great Black Swamp
WBGU created a short film called “The Story of the Great Black Swamp.” This VHS be borrowed from both, or purchased on DVD from WBGU.
Visit for a preview:
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library also has this available on VHS.

8. Fun With Footprints Activity
Position One Footprints Example
This activity adapted from: Fossil Footprints - National Academy Press

9. Positions One and Two Footprints Example

10. All Three Positions Footprints Example
The idea is to use these as an example to create your own scenario for students to creatively problem solve with.

11. Questions To Encourage Student Thinking
Footprint Activity
Can you tell anything about the size, nature or kind of animals who made the tracks?
Were all the tracks made at the same time?
How many animals were involved?
Can you reconstruct a series of events represented by this set of tracks?
See Animal Tracks Activity on the pi r2 website at nwocenter.org/pir2