Aquarius Lesson Plan
Focus
Grade Level
Focus Question
Aquarius and Types of Fish
Kindergarten
If we explored the sea (like Aquarius), what are some examples of
different types of fish we would find?
Learning Objectives:
NC State Objective and Goal Being Addressed:
K.L.1.1Compare different types of the same animal (i.e. different types of
dogs, different types of cats, etc.) to determine individual differences
within a particular type of animal.
Learner Objective(s):
Materials
Audio/Visual Materials
At the competition of this lesson, students will have knowledge of
Aquarius, be able to give examples of different types of fish, and
identify the characteristics that make them different.
Blue, white, and black construction paper, markers, blue bulletin board
paper,
Ocean-themed music, projection screen
Teaching Time
Seat Arrangement
Maximum Number of
Students
Key Words
1 hour and 10 mintues
Desks in groups of 5
20
Background Information
(Prior Knowledge)
Different types of fish, Aquarius
Opening Activity
(35 minutes)
(15 minutes) I will start by showing them a mini- presentation of Aquarius that
briefly explains what it is.
Fish, ocean, underwater, differences, Aquarius, swim
(10 minutes) I will tell the students that we have traveled underwater and start
playing music with ocean sounds. I will ask them to get up out of their seats to
pretend like they are swimming in the ocean. The board will be covered with
bulletin paper in the shape of waves displaying black cut-out silhouettes of fish.
Students will be asked to take a seat and I will tell them to look at shadows of
different fish, and to guess what kinds of fish they might see. (The music will be
turned off when the discussion begins)
(10 minutes) I will lift each one and underneath will be the real version of the
fish and its name. We will talk about each one and what makes them different.
Types of fish discussed: Clownfish, Kelpfish, Anemone fish, Four Eyed Fish,
Wahoo
I chose to implement this activity because it imitates being underwater like in
Aquarius, while engaging all types of learners and making them want to learn
about fish.
Aquarius Lesson Plan
Learning Procedure ( Activity)
(25 minutes)
(15 minutes) Each student will receive one cutout of a fish. They have to
choose one fish that we discussed, decorate it to make it look like it,
and write the name of it on the back to practice writing letters.
(10 minutes) Every group will have a cutout of a window at their desk
(as if they are looking out into the water) and I will tell them to glue the
fish onto the cutout.
Connections to Other
Subjects
I will display the “windows” on a big display that looks like a replica of
Aquarius.
Science, Art, Writing
Closing Activity and
Assignment
(10 minutes) I will wrap up the lesson by asking students to share their favorite
fish. By doing this, students get a review of the different types of fish and will
stay actively involved because they get to share their fish with others.
Assessment
The assessment is that they can draw a replica of at least one different type of
fish and write the name; it shows they understand that different animals come
in different forms.
Other Links and Resources
Standards:
http://www.learnnc.org/scos/
Information about Aquarius:
http://www.oneworldoneocean.com/expeditions/aquarius
Information about Fish:
http://www.oceanlight.com/fish.html
Pictures:
http://www.asccsa.gc.ca/eng/missions/neemo15/aquarius.asp
http://www.nature.com/climate/2008/0812/full/climate.2008.127.html
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/07/19/funding-cut-hurtsundersea-lab-off-florida-keys/
http://www.diaryofasahm.com/2010/06/super-easy-fishing-hat.html
Example of Student Replica:
Mini Presentation of Aquarius:
Aquarius Lesson Plan
Aquarius
This is what Aquarius looks like. It is an underwater
lab.
The scientists live underwater and study the ocean.
They eat and sleep here.
Aquarius Lesson Plan
They can watch the fish from inside.
They can also swim around and find different types
of fish.
Aquarius Lesson Plan