Objective:
The student will be able to name and label the parts of an aquarium and also to explain the use of each part. This lesson should be completed prior to the final assembly of the Aquademics™ aquarium.
Materials Needed:
Activity:
To help students better understand the habitat that they are about to create for their fish, allow them to reflect for a moment on their own habitats as human beings. Ask the students to name all of the elements that they think are necessary parts of a healthy human habitat. List all of the elements in one column on the board.
Then, in a second column, ask the students if the fish need any of these same elements in order to survive in the aquarium. Go through each element in column one and, if applicable, list the corresponding element in column two.
Using the Aquademics™ aquarium and its equipment, show each part to the students and ask them if they can guess the purpose of each part. After they have guessed, identify the part and explain how it is important to the ecosystem within the aquarium.
Distribute Aquademics™ Aquarium Worksheet #1 to each student and ask students to write the name of each aquarium part in the appropriate space and to briefly describe the function of the part. Students may work in pairs or small groups if the teacher feels this would be helpful.
Result:
Students will feel more ownership and responsibility for their fish if they understand how each part of the aquarium is necessary for a fish's survival.
An answer sheet for the teacher has been provided.
