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Thursday, July 14, 2011

What are Fish?

Fish
  • Are vertebrates
  • Most are cold-blooded
  • Live in water
  • Have fins (to move)
  • Breathe through gills 

                                                  







  • Have the students brainstorm any characteristics of fishes that they already know. (See list above.) 

  • Share the above list. (Older students can record this list in their science notebooks.)    

  • Have students brainstorm a list of animals that fit these characteristics.  
           goldfish
           catfish 
           tuna
           trout
           bass
           sharks
           eels
           sting ray {flatfish}
           seahorse {small fish}
           etc.

    • Begin a class chart with the students' list of  fish. (Add to the chart daily.) Older students can record in their science notebooks. 
    • Read a book to students about fish or have older students read books individually or with a partner.
    • After reading have students share any new or interesting information that they read about.


    Additional Activities


    • Have the kids create a fun Arts and Crafts Fish Activity.
                 ~ Give older children a selection of arts and crafts materials and have
                    them use their knowledge of fish and their imaginations to create
                    a fish (real or imaginary) or an underwater scene.


                ~ Younger students could use stencils to create fish and underwater scenes.


    • Have students observe fish in a tank at home, at school, at a pet store, or an aquarium. 
                     ~ Have students use a hand lens/magnifier if available. They should choose 1
                        particular fish to observe then draw a sketch of the fish in their science
                        notebook.


    Observe how frequently the fish opens its mouth.
    Observe the flaps on each side of the fish's head behind its eyes.
    Observe how the flaps open and close.

    Observe the placement of the fish's eyes. Are the eyes on the front or sides of its head?
    How many fins does the fish have?
    Does it have a tail fin?
    Does the fish have scales?






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    4 comments:

    1. I LOVE your blog. I just found it through the Thursday hop and can't wait to try some of these activities with my daughter. I used to teach 7th grade reading and English, and was having trouble coming up with ideas for my 4 1/2 year old. Thank you for sharing!

      ReplyDelete
    2. great blog with interesting content and info.

      visiting ang following though thursday hop.
      i hope you can stop by and say hi!

      have a great rest of your day!

      ReplyDelete
    3. Just popping in to say Hello and thanks again for the amazing resources you give us!

      jenny at dapperhouse

      ReplyDelete
    4. visiting from Alexa hop, your blog is a great resource for parents.

      http://momdaughterstyle.blogspot.com/

      ReplyDelete