NEPTUNE Canada

Extremophiles (Grade 6)

Author: Idea taken from - http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/coralreefs/

Learning Objective(s)

Students must understand how animals adapt to the extreme environment of the deep ocean, where there is no light, temperatures ranging from 400°C (at hydrothermal vents) to 0.6°C (just above freezing) and extremely intense pressures.

Introduction

Show the students pictures of fish and point out eyes, gills, tail, teeth (or lack thereof) and explain its function for the survival of the fish. Now introduce pictures of deep sea creatures and fish, ask students to point out exactly how these fish are different from the shallower water fish. Discuss how their environment (cold water, no light) affects how these fish look (big teeth, photophore and small eyes).

Materials

Activity

• Either individually or in groups of 2 or 3, students must create a book with pictures which describes to younger students how fish live.
  
• Use the internet (especially the NEPTUNE website which has extensive pictures and information of deep sea creatures), books and magazines to explain how these creatures survive, what they eat, hunting strategies, symbiosis, how they reproduce etc…
  
• Ask students to create a non-fictional book with characters and adventures but must still convey scientific information. For example: Draw a picture of a fangtooth and then write “I’m Angie the Anglerfish, and I have a big light that hangs out in front of my face. I love to eat squid and fish. Oh here’s one coming” and then have a picture of a fish attracted the light in front of its big mouth…
  
• Have students write a draft copy.
  
• Have students review each others work, discussing ideas, pictures, science and the English language.
  
• Re-write the book, making sure enough room is saved for the illustrations.
  
• Students may draw straight into the book, or cut and paste into the appropriate areas.
  
• Once the book is created and stapled together, try and get younger students to come and read the books which will provide feedback on the books. Ask your students to prepare questions to test the effectiveness of the books.

Extension

• Ask students to use more advanced vocabulary – camouflage, predation, symbiosis and the various methods of reproduction used in the ocean.

Assessment

• How well is the book written?
  
• Is the information in the book accurate?
  
• Do all the students in the group participate in the project?
  
• Are the drawings of the creatures accurate?

Related Website

http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/coralreefs/

Tags

hydrothermal vents, gills, tail, teeth, environment, photophore, small eyes, shallower water fish, camouflage, symbiosis, extremophiles