Take a Bite
Out of the Sea!
Overview: This lesson gives the children the opportunity to discover about one of the most fascinating animals of our time, the shark. The students will learn many characteristics of the shark. They will also discover some of the many myths held about sharks. This lesson can also serve to introduce a thematic unit on fish or the ocean.
Setting the Stage: You must first set the mood to begin your study of the ocean or fish. You can achieve this mood by hanging blue and green streamers from the ceiling. You can even hang some inflatable fish as well. You may then decorate the windows as if they were the ocean. Have the children color pictures of fish and tape them to the window. You can even tape pieces of green construction paper to the windows to give them the effect of seaweed. Also, scatter shells about the room along with beach pails and sand. Set up a table full of reading material related to the ocean. Have a listening center set up with books on tape about the ocean. Hang a fishing net in the classroom. Also set up an art table with pictures of the ocean that can be colored. You can even decorate your bulletin boards with fun games related to the ocean.
ITV Series: Eyewitness Video "Sharks"
Pre-Viewing Activities: Begin the lesson by brainstorming on what the children know about sharks. Write down their observations on some chart paper or on the board. Next, have a chart pre-made with some specific information about sharks already on it. Post the chart next to the children's observations. Discuss the similarities and differences. with some information about sharks:
Chart: Sharks Characteristics:
- Sensitive to light
- Skeleton is made entirely of cartilage
- Over 400 million years old
- It is a fish, therefore it has gills needed for breathing.
- Over 250 species of sharks
- Very few species attack people
- Have numerous teeth. Their mouth is literally a conveyor belt. As one tooth falls out, a tooth replaces it.
- Torpedo shaped bodies allow for great speed and maneuverability.
- Sharks are able to sense electrical charges given off by animals.
- They have an acute sense of smell.
- Sharks are omnivores meaning they eat plants as well as animals.
Next, explain to the children that you are now going to watch a video to introduce you to the world of sharks. However, before they watch the video, they need to make a special mask.
Materials for Mask: 3 paper plates, scissors, crayons, glitter, glue, markers, hole punch, construction paper, and string. First, cut out the paper plates in the shape of a fish. Then, color and decorate the shark as you wish. Once the children are done decorating their shark, punch one hole on each side. Tie a piece of string through each hole Put the mask on and have someone tie it in the back. Explain to the children they are now ready for their journey of the deep.
Focus for Viewing: Before starting the video, explain to the children that they are going to be learning about the breathtaking world of sharks. Explain that they will be watching for specific facts about sharks that they need to be aware of. Now begin the video.
Viewing Activities:
Pause Video: ... they can smell blood over half a mile away. Ask: What are they? Answer: Sharks
Pause Video: ... they have a sixth sense that can detect the electricity of life. Ask: What else can a shark sense? Answer: Lifes electrical charges.
Pause Video: ... small enough to hold in your hand. Ask: Do sharks vary in size? Answer: Yes.
Pause Video: ... first to give birth to live young Ask: Do sharks lay eggs to hatch their young? Answer: No, they give birth to live young.
Pause Video: ... This basking shark disappears in winter. Ask: What disappears in winter? Answer: The basking shark. Ask: Where do you think it goes?
Pause Video: ... in spiral dull like cases and wedges them between rocks. Ask: What shark does this? Answer: horn Ask: Why? Answer: to protect them from the currents
Pause Video: ...immediately after birth, all sharks are on their own. Ask: What happens after the shark is born? Answer: It is on its own.
Pause Video: Most sea creatures lay eggs but open sea sharks deliver live young. Ask: What do most sea creatures lay? Answer: Eggs Ask: What about open sea sharks? Answer: Live young.
Pause Video: ...Cancer, another unsolved mystery. Ask: What do sharks rarely suffer from? Answer: Cancer
Pause Video: ....fishing for fins means slaughtering sharks. Ask: What do we get from sharks? Answer: Food, antibiotics, lipstick
Pause Video: ...about 400 million years ago. Ask: When did sharks first appear? Answer: About 400 million years ago
Pause Video: ...lighter and more flexible than bone. Ask: What is a shark's skeleton made of? Answer: Cartilage Ask: Describe it. Answer: It is more flexible, lighter, and easier to maneuver.
Pause Video: ..angel shark also known as a monk fish Ask: What is an angel shark also called? Answer: A monk fish. Ask: What is special about it? Answer: It is flat.
Pause Video: ..and applied to submarines. Ask: Where do the designs for submarines come from? Answer: Sharks.
Pause Video:..when the albatross fledgling takes to the sky. Ask: When do we usually see the dorsal fin of a shark? Answer: Feeding time.
Pause Video:..to see if it is edible. Ask: What are sharks; carnivores or meat eaters, herbivores which is plant eaters, or omnivores which eats both meat and plants? Answer: Omnivores
Pause Video:...replacing those that are damaged and work. Ask: Why are sharks teeth so sharp? Answer: because they are constantly being replaced.
Pause Video: ...directing them toward their prey before they even see it. Ask: What do sharks sense? Answer: Vibrations Ask: How? Answer: Pores all along their bodies.
Pause Video: ..guide them towards their prey. Ask: What do sharks sense? Answer: Electrical charges that all living things give off.
Pause Video: ..in color and have an acute sense of smell. Ask: Do sharks see in color or black and white? Answer: Color
Pause Video: ..its pectoral fins don't allow it. Ask: Can sharks swim backwards? Answer: No Ask: Why? Answer: Because their pectoral fins do not allow them to.
Post Viewing Activities: Once you have completed watching the video, review the key points. Sharks 1. are sensitive to light 2. have a skeleton made entirely of cartilage 3. over 400 million years old 4. are a fish, therefore it has gills needed for breathing. 5. number over 250 species of sharks 6. rarely attack people. Approximately 7 people a year are killed by shark attacks. 7. have numerous teeth. Their mouth is literally a conveyor belt. As one tooth falls out, a tooth replaces it. 8. are torpedo shaped to allow for great speed and maneuverability. 9. are able to sense electrical charges given off by animals. 10. have an acute sense of smell. 11. are omnivores meaning they eat plants as well as animals. 12. are still a great mystery to us. 13. are feared by many cultures. There are numerous myths about the shark. You can conduct the review in a game show like fashion. You serve as the host and the children serve as the contestants. You can write the questions down on note cards and ask the children the answers. Give each child the opportunity to answer one question. Even if you ask several students the same question, that is acceptable to insure comprehension.
Science Activity: For this activity, you will need the following materials; white legal size paper, crayons, markers, pens, pencils, glue, tape, and cardboard paper towel roles. Review with the children about the video they have just watched. Allow them to share with each other what they have learned and discuss the film. Then explain that they will have a chance to create a movie of their own based upon sharks. Next, brainstorm what the children have learned thus far. Compose a list of their ideas. This list may include:
*sharks are fish *give birth to live young *many teeth *eat many different foods
Now, divide the class into four groups. Allow them to choose who will illustrate which fact. Give all of the groups access to the materials. Be sure to tell them to leave space at the bottom so that they may write down what they have illustrated. Have them begin their illustrations. Once they have finished illustrating their facts, have the children tape them together. Tape the paper towel roll to the end of the papers. It should then look like a film. Post it and allow the children to see what each other has done.
Math Activity: For this activity you will need the graph sheets, activity sheets, gummy sharks, and crayons. First, pass out one bag of shark's to each student. Have the students guess how many sharks are in their bag. Have the students then fill out the blank for guess on their sheet. Next, open the bag. Count the number of sharks in the bag. Calculate the difference between guess and actual number of sharks. Next, have the children sort their sharks by color. There is a page included in which the children can sort their sharks upon. Now, have the children count the number of each color of sharks. Write down the results on their sheet. Now, have the students complete the math problems located on the same sheet. These are simple addition problems. For example, they are to add the yellow and blue sharks together or the red and green. Complete this with the class. Next, have the children graph their sharks. It is suggested that the children place their sharks on the graph and then eat them as they color their square. This insures accuracy on their part. An excellent extension of this activity would be to graph the children's favorite colored shark on a bulletin board. You can even have the children color one of the attached shark patterns in their favorite color.
Action Plan: A trip to Marineland would be an excellent follow up to the concepts learned in this lesson. You could also plan a trip to the Marine Science Center for a visit. It has excellent resources. Invite a marine biologist to speak to your class. Visit Sea World, The Tennessee Aquarium, The Monterey Aquarium, etc. via the internet. With the internet, the children could literally go all over the world studying ocean and sharks and so much more.
Sea Shell Sort: Obtain many shells of different size, shape and color. Have the children then sort them into groups. Have them explain why they classified them the way that they did. The same thing can be done with fish cut out of construction paper.
Ollie the Octopus: This is an art project which requires several materials; 1 to 2 inch Styrofoam ball, green crepe paper, string, and wiggly eyes. First, cut some crepe paper into strips about 18 inches long. Next, place the ball at the center of one piece of crepe paper. Continue to do this until you have 8 pieces hanging. Tack the string and tie the dangling paper just below the ball. Glue the wiggly eyes on and draw on a mouth.
Freddy the Fish: You need several materials for this project; newspaper, construction paper, markers, scissors, and a stapler. First you draw a fish pattern onto a sheet of construction paper. You then have the children place two pieces of construction paper together with the fish pattern visible. Next, cut the fish out. You will end up with 2 fish cut outs. Then have the children decorate one side to each cut out. Staple them together all around the edge leaving a hole large enough to stuff the fish. Crumple up the newspaper and stuff the fish. Once it is stuffed enough, staple it closed. You will end up with a 3-D fish.
Waves in a Bottle: For this you will need several materials; a bottle with a lid that can be tightened, sand, oil, vinegar, blue and green food coloring. First, fill the bottle 1/3 filled with sand. Next, fill 1/3 with oil. Add the blue and green dye. Fill the rest of the bottle with vinegar. Put the lid on the bottle and tighten it up. Now shake the bottle and watch what happens.
Coconut Smoothies: You will need ice, a blender, coconut milk, and coconut meat. Blend an equal amount of the three together until smooth. Enjoy!
Seashell Wind Chime: For this project you need shells, nail, hammer, fishing line, and a stick about 8 inches long. First, carefully punch a hole in each shell using the nail and hammer. Next, have the children thread the shells with the fishing line pre cut the same length and tie them to the piece of wood. Have them then tie their shells to the piece of wood. Make sure they are close enough together so that they will hit each other when windy. Then tie a piece of string on the wood so that the chime can be hung.
Guessing Game: Fill a jar with shells and have the children guess how many are in the jar. The person closest wins a prize.
Musical Sand Instruments: You need sand, glue, toilet paper rolls, pencil, markers, and construction paper. First, decorate the toilet paper rolls. Then, cut 2 pieces of construction paper slightly larger than the hole of the roll. Glue them on sealing the roll up. Then punch a hole through one of the side with construction paper. Partially fill with sand. Then place a pencil into the hole. Be sure to seal around the pencil with glue if necessary. Allow to dry. You now have a sand instrument.
Our Own Ocean: Set up an aquarium in the room. Allow the children to take turns feeding the fish. Have the children observe the fish and care for them.
Crayon Resist: For this you will need white construction paper, crayons, watered down blue tempera paint, and a paint brush. Have the children draw a fish or any other sea creature they would like. Then brush on a thin wash of blue tempera paint. The paint will not adhere to the crayon and it provides for an interesting effect
Aquarium Math: Create a pricing list for various fish. Post it on a bulletin board. Write several math problems using the pricing list. This is an excellent way to tie the ocean in with money. Example: goldfish $1.99 swordfish $2.39 algae eater $3.49
Ocean Poetry: Have the children compose a poem of a sea creature of their choice. They then write the poem in the shape of their animal.
Sand dollar cookies : This activity requires several ingredients. 2 cups margarine 1 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 4 cups flour 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 egg white cinnamon/sugar mixture (1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons sugar) 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees 2. Cream the margarine, sugar, and brown sugar in a large bowl. 3. Beat the eggs well and mix thoroughly with the sugar, brown sugar, and margarine. 4. Gradually add the flour to the mixture and shape the dough into a long roll, about 15 inches long and 2 inches wide. 5. Roll the log in the chopped walnuts. Chill overnight. 6. Cut the roll into 1/4 inch slices. 7. Beat the egg white and brush on top of each slice. Then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the slices. 8. Bake for 10 minutes. It makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Glassy Aquariums: To make an aquarium, cut out blue construction paper the size of a clear, plastic, take out container lid. To create the sand, glue glitter to the bottom of the paper. To create the seaweed, dip green strands of yarn into glue and then paste it to the sheet. Cut out several different fish patterns. Paste them to the construction paper. Glue around the rim of the clear container before placing the blue construction paper face down on the lid. Allow to dry and then decorate your room with them.
The Deep Blue Sea: For this project you will need clear baby food jars, hot glue gun, fish stickers, small shells, glitter, and blue food coloring. First, place stickers on the outside of the baby food jar. Then place shells into the jar. Add water and blue food coloring. For added special effects, add blue glitter. Seal the lid with the glue gun and enjoy.
Interactive Bulletin Boards: A must in any classroom when studying the ocean are bulletin boards which serve to teach as well as enhance the oceanic surroundings. Here are several suggestions. First of all, cut out several fish patterns. Write addition, subtraction, multiplication or any other math problem you are working on down on the fish. Post them to the board and require the children to complete it. You can also cut out pictures of various fish, dolphins, and whales. Have the children then sort them on the bulletin board based as to which is a fish and which is a mammal. You can also have a bulletin board where the children sort the animals from largest to smallest.
Songs
Five Little Fishies in the Sea
Five little fishies swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. Sharky
Oh you can't catch me
Oh you can't catch me
Well along came Mr. Sharky quiet as can be
Snap! He ate the fishie
right out of the sea..
Four little fishies swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. Sharky
Oh you can't catch me
Oh you can't catch me
Well along came Mr. Sharky quiet as can be
Snap! He ate the fishie
right out of the sea.
Three little fishies swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. Sharky
Oh you can't catch me
Oh you can't catch me
Well along came Mr. Sharky quiet as can be
Snap! He ate the fishie
right out of the sea.
Two little fishies swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. Sharky
Oh you can't catch me
Oh you can't catch me
Well along came Mr. Sharky quiet as can be
Snap! He ate the fishie
right out of the sea.
One little fishy swimming in the sea
teasing Mr. Sharky
Oh you can't catch me
Oh you can't catch me
Well along came Mr. Sharky quiet as can be
Snap! He ate the fishie
right out of the sea.
Now Mr. Sharky is lonely can't you see. .
Shark
I went to the aquarium,
And in a tank so dark,
I saw a smooth and swimmy shape,
And knew it was a shark.
I went to the aquarium,
And through a wall of glass,
I saw that shark and thought—
Oh! What a lot of teeth he has!
He swam around so quietly,
He swam around so quick—
I'm awfully glad,
That his tank had
That wall of glass, so thick!
Fish
The little fish are silent
As they swim round and round.
Their mouths are ever talking
A speech without a sound.
Now aren't the fishes funny
To swim in water clear
And talk with words so silent
That nobody can hear?
Five Little Fishes
Five little fishes swimming in a pool.(wiggle five
fingers, move arm)
The first fish said, "This pool is cool!" (Shiver and hug
yourself)
The second fish said, "This pool is deep." (Use a low voice)
The third fish said, "I want to sleep." (yawn and stretch)
The fourth fish said, "I spy a ship." (hand shading eyes)
Fishing boat comes, line goes kersplash! (throw in line)
Away the five little fishies dash. (fingers "swim" away quickly)
Links:
-
- Zoom
Whales
- Excellent reference for whales.
-
- Zoom
Sharks
- Fantastic!
Learning Page Ocean Theme Sheets
Mrs.
Cowan
