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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