Basic Spincasting Unit 2

Fish Characteristics and Identification - Educator Packet

Teaching Suggestions

You may work with a larger group, or you can split into smaller groups of students. There are several options for engaging students in learning, depending on individual teaching and learning styles. Below are some activity options for the unit learning goals:

General Characteristics of Fish

Ask students to describe a fish. Have them record their descriptions, and then compare them with the general characteristics from reference resources
Have students research general characteristics of fish using electronic or print sources. Have one student from each group report their group’s discussion.
- Have students design a brochure/pamphlet based on their research (e.g., fish characteristics, fish identification).
Complete Review Sheet 2-1: Fish Families.

Fish Senses

Describe fish senses discussed in the Unit 2 Background Information, emphasizing how they differ from human senses.
Organize the class into smaller groups to research, then compare and contrast fish and human senses.
Learn more online at Encyclopedia of Earth | Fish Senses.

Fish Species

Have small groups brainstorm methods to research and organize information about Iowa fish species. Groups can discuss general characteristics of a fish family found in Iowa and present their findings to the rest of the class. See Iowa Fish Families.
- Small groups can make electronic presentations to the large group.
- Each group can research a fish species and create a poster identifying characteristics they learned about in their research.
Play the Fish Iowa! card game to reinforce identification skills. Play the game as written, or invent your own version.
Have students compile a list of fish species common to your area.
Complete Review Sheet 2-2: Species Characteristics.
Invite a local fishing expert into your classroom. Experienced anglers often are wonderful resources and they usually have colorful stories to share as well. Other resource people include county conservation board naturalists, DNR Fisheries personnel, and even local sporting goods retailers.
Visit the following web sites to learn more about fish species:
- IDNR | Iowa Fish Species
- Take Me Fishing | Explore Fish Species
Fish Bowl – Divide students into two groups; have each compile questions based on their learning from the unit for the other group to answer; students will determine rules for the game and scoring criteria; let the games begin!

Option: Do the Aquatic WILD activity, Fashion a Fish, to explore fish adaptations.

Teaching Resources

Click on each heading for a list of resources to teach.

Extensions

Click on each subject area for ideas for ideas to expand the unit .

Language Arts

Read the Iowa Fish ID Guide.
Research fish species. (Resources include the DNR Fisheries web site.)
Develop a list of the fish you can catch in Iowa waters.
Keep a daily journal about the unit.

The Arts

Make flash cards for fish ID using the Iowa Fish ID Guide.
Draw fish pictures to learn anatomy or just as decorations. (These can be used on a bulletin board.)
Do fish prints on t-shirts.

Science

Research the impacts of exotic species on native Iowa fish (e.g., zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, Silver Carp).
Do the Aquatic WILD activities, Fashion a Fish, Fishy Who’s Who, and/or Aquatic Times.

Fish Iowa! (class) order form: Fish Iowa! trained educators - Submit to order materials such as posters and cards for your Fish Iowa! unit.

Aquatic WILD guides are available via training. Check out the Iowa Project WILD training site for more information.

Page updated

Report abuse