Fish Facts

Objective:

The student will be able to describe the physical and behavioral characteristics of fish.  This lesson plan will be most effective if taught after the lesson plans on aquarium basics and after the teacher has reviewed All About Fish in the Aquademics™ Parent and Teacher's Guide.

Materials Needed:

• Aquademics™ Science Worksheet #1 (one copy per group of students)
• Pencils

Activity:

Pick two students to stand in front of the class.  Ask the class to name some distinguishing characteristics of each student up front, such as hair color, eye color, size, freckles, etc.  Ask the class to think about why humans are born with so many different distinguishing characteristics.  After they have taken a few minutes to respond, tell them that scientists also use differing characteristics to identify and describe fish.

1. Divide students into small groups.
2. Give each group of students one copy of Aquademics™ Science Worksheet #1.
3. Give students about 20 minutes to complete the fact sheet.  Challenge students to make educated guesses if they are not sure of the correct answer.  (It's OK to give hints!)
4. Go over answers with students, using the Teacher's Answer Sheet.
5. Ask students to list three facts that surprised them about fish.
6. Ask students to list three new facts that they learned about fish.
7. Challenge students to a game of "What Am I?" (Question:  I am a fish fin that runs down the middle of a fish's back.  What am I? Answer: Dorsal fin)

Result:

Students become very knowledgeable about fish and the way they live.

Reprinted courtesy of the National Aquarium in Baltimore