GO FISH ACTIVITY

TOPIC: Camouflage

TARGET AGE LEVEL: 5th Grade, two class periods

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify the importance of camouflage and how that helps fish and other animals to survive.
2. Graph their data in a visual form.

CONCEPTS/STANDARDS ADDRESSED:
MATH: Sequencing, fractions, computation, comparing inequalities, graphing.
SCIENCE: Predicting, gathering data, drawing conclusions.

MATERIALS:
    Per Group of four:
        12 black fish, 12 red fish, 12 newsprint fish, 12 white fish (cut prior to lesson).
        several sheets of want ads, activity sheets.

MOTIVATOR/ANTICIPATORY SET: Ask the question, how does the color of an animal affect its population and survival?

PROCEDURE:

    1. Distribute the activity sheets.
    2. Divide the class into groups of four and make sure each group has the cut out fish and a large sheet of the newspaper want ads.
    3. The groups will spread the sheet of want ads on a table and act as the fishing pond. The first "fisherman" will turn his/her back to the pond while the other groups members spread the 48 fish evenly over the want ads.
    4. Each fishing period will last exactly 10 seconds.The fisherman may only use one hand to pick up fish from the newspaper. The collected fish may be put in a cup or held in the other hand. The fisherman must attempt to get as many fish as possible in the 10 seconds.
    5. The number of each color fish need to be counted and recorded on the activity sheet.
    6. The above procedure will be repeated until all four people have had a chance to fish. Make sure that all the fish are replaced before starting each new fishing period.
    7. Have the groups share their data and make a data chart on the board. The activity sheets should be completed and the results graphed and discussed.

KEY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
    1. Why were some fish caught more than others?
    2. How did your group data compare to the class data?
    3. How does this activity relate to animals living in their natural environment?

CLOSURE: Talk about the importance of camouflage with fish and other animals and the necessity for protection against both prey and predators.

ASSESSMENT: The groups will be assessed on their cooperation within their groups, their participation in class discussions, and their completion of the data packet.