Starfish Craft Activity

Materials

• starfish
• hand lens
• sandpaper (pkg. of 12 sheets {different grits} purchased at Dollar Tree)
• protective eyewear (recommended when using sandpaper)
• pencil
• scissors
• crayons
• white or light colored  paper

Directions

• Have students observe a starfish with a hand lens.
• Have students use their senses to describe the starfish's observable characteristics.
• Discuss the texture of a starfish (rough, bumpy, scratchy, etc.)
• Have students put on protective eyewear then observe and feel different textures of sandpaper.
• Discuss that sandpaper has different grits. Can they feel the differences? Can they describe the differences? Which grit feels the most like the starfish?
• Have students trace one or several starfish onto sandpaper.
• Have students cut out the starfish.
• Compare the sandpaper starfish to the real specimens. How are they alike? How are they different?
• Create crayon rubbings. Place the sandpaper starfish under a piece of white or light colored paper and rub over them with the sides of a crayon(s).
• Have fun!

Have students read some good books about starfish.

        

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