Big Footprint

 

Subject: Inquiry and Measurement

Topic: Students will consider the height of a human by examining a footprint fossil replica.

NSTA Teaching Standards: A, B, C, D, E, F

NSTA Content Standards:

            Unifying Concepts and Processes:

                        K-12: Change, constancy and measurement

            Science as Inquiry

                        K-12: Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

            Life Science

                        K-4: Characteristics of organisms

                        5-8: Reproduction and heredity

                        9-12: Molecular basis of heredity

            History and Nature of Science

                        5-8: History of science

                        9-12: Historical perspectives

NCTM Standards:

            Content Standard: Measurement, Number and Operations (Equivalent

                        Fractions/Ratios)

            Process Standards: Communication, Connections, Representation, Reasoning and

                        Proof and Problem Solving

Teaching Procedures:

            Essential Questions:

                        Where did the big footprint come from?

            Introduction (Activating):

Teaching Strategies:

1. Each group should determine a ratio that they can use to estimate the height of the source of the "Big Footprint".

10.  Provide each group with a discussion guide and have them record their findings in their journal notebooks.  

            Closure:

 

            Differentiated Instruction:

1. Multiple intelligences addressed:

 

            Lesson Assessment:

 

            Materials/Resources

1. Big Footprint Fossil Replica
2. Big Footprint Computation Guide
3. Big Footprint Discussion Guide
4. Big Footprint Essay Scoring Rubric (optional)

 

 

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                    

 

 

Big Footprint Computation Guide

 

     Begin by setting up the height and foot length as a ratio.

 

            For example:   10 inch foot         =       15.5 inch foot

                                   66.5 inch height             creature height

 

            Explain how to cross multiply to obtain:

 

            66.5 inches X 15.5 inches = 10 inches X creature height

 

            Explain how to isolate the unknown variable (creature height).

            (Divide by 10 inches on both sides.)

           

                        1030.75 inches            =     Creature Height = 103.075 inches

                           10 inches

 

            If you want the height in feet and inches, just divide the inches by 12.

            (1 foot =12 inches)

 

            Your answer should be 8 feet, 7 inches.

 

            Do you know anyone that tall? Would a person that tall fit into this room or

                        need to bend over to get in the door?

 

           

            Why do you think people today are not as tall as this person from the past?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Footprint Discussion Guide

 

1. How does the length of your foot compare with your height?

 

 

 

 

1. Is there a direct relationship between foot length and height?

 

 

 

 

1. What ratio did you use to determine the height of the creature?

 

 

 

 

1. Is your answer to the creature's height a range or an exact number? How do you know?

 

 

 

 

1. How confident are you in your answer?

 

 

 

 

1. What do you think the creature's weight could have been? What additional information could help you estimate the creature's weight? Explain your reasoning.

 

 

 

1. Do you think the creature was a man or woman? What makes you think so?

 

 

 

 

1. Scientists found the creature's footprint next to the print of an extinct dinosaur. What does this tell you about the time when dinosaurs lived?

 

 

 

 

1. Why do you think people today are not as tall the creature, who lived in the past?

 

 

Big Footprint Activity

Essay Scoring Rubric

 

Name________________________                                                   Date_________________

 

A fossil replica depicts a large footprint, approximately 15 and 1/2 inches long. How might a scientist use math to find out how tall the creature might have been? Do you think the creature was human? Is it possible to calculate the height of the creature that left the footprint with any certainty? How does this ancient creature compare with people today? Why do you think people today are not as tall as the ancient creature, from the past?

 

	Not Evident (0)	Needs Work (15)	Acceptable (20)	Exemplary (25)
Mathematical Thinking	There is no evidence of mathematical thinking.	The mathematical thinking is not expressed clearly or is expressed erroneously.	The mathematical thinking is correct.	The mathematical thinking is expressed correctly and in detail.
Calculations	No calculations are present.	The calculations are incorrect.	The calculations are correct.	The calculations are accurate and detailed.
Scientific Reasoning	No scientific reasoning is present.	The scientific reasoning present is incorrect.	Scientific reasoning is correct.	Scientific reasoning is accurate and detailed.
Written Expression	The essay is not related to the topic or the essay is incoherent.	The writing is minimally coherent and/or has many grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.	The writing is coherent, clear and understandable with few grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.	The writing is coherent, expressive, persuasive, and clear with no errors.
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