NEPTUNE Canada

Underwater Animals (Grade K)

Author: Karen Farley

Learning Objective(s)

Students must become aware of changes that occur with depth.

Introduction

During a class discussing the ocean, describe the changes in colour with depth and why the bottom is so much darker than the top section of the ocean (i.e. lack of sunlight).

Materials

Activity

• Ask students to draw a picture of their favourite underwater animal - suggest jellyfish, dolphin, shark, whales etc (have pictures available so students can copy) with “Elmers Glue”. Ask students to draw the picture first and then colour them in with the glue so the fish is filled in.
• Leave overnight to dry
  
• Next day – After the glue has dried wash the pictures using blue watercolours and a paintbrush. Make the bottom of the picture darker and progressively lighter towards the surface.

Extension

Ask students if they know what sort of animals live in the deep ocean and how they are different because of the lack of light. Show the students images and videos from the NEPTUNE website of the extreme looking fish. Explain why have adapted a photophore, big teeth and small eyes.

Introduce students to the songs made by Northern Resident Orcas, Southern Resident Orcas, Humpback Whales, and Pacific White Sided Dolphins.

Assessment

Did it work? Did they colour the picture in accordance to the colour scheme of the ocean?

Related Website

Source page

Tags

marine life, fish, art