H2ORUS2

Title:    A Fish Out of Water

Grade Level: Eighth

Subjects: Science

Learner Outcomes: The student will:

1. identify various organs in a fish
2. describe the function of various organs
3. determine which organs from a given list would go together to form a system
4. explain how body systems work
5. compare the variations between human organs/systems and fish organs/systems

Materials: dissecting kit, aprons, goggles, gloves, preserved fish (preferably one native to West Virginia…trout, bass, pike, walleye, etc.), guidelines for dissection, structure/function worksheet, lab rubric

Technology Tools/Courseware: computer with Internet capabilities

Teacher Notes:

• Pair students according to identified strengths and weaknesses paying particular attention to your special needs students.
• If possible pair students rather than having larger groups.
• Prior to the lab activity review rules and expectations.
• If deemed necessary assign alternative research or virtual dissections for individuals if serious concerns arise.

1. Prior to the dissection activity view the external anatomy of a fish. You may want to print a copy of the information for the students as a guide for the activity.
2. Using Microsoft Encarta go to fish…generalized anatomy. View the internal structures. Have students take notes and make diagrams in order to assist them with identification during the lab.
3. Read and discuss the information provided in the above article concerning the

muscles, nervous system, and reproductive system of the fish.
4. Go to Fish Dissection. You may want/need to use the LCD projector to display the site to the class and walk them through the activity as a class.
5. As students are completing the dissection have them fill in A Fish Out of Water worksheet.
6. After the lab has been completed and the lab area has been cleaned have students complete A Fish Out of Water-2.
7. Allow those students that have completed the assignment to visit the Kids’ Page for a Freshwater Fish quiz and other related and appropriate activities.
8. Collect and discuss the lab data and question sheets. Teach/reteach material as needed.

Enrichment activities:

• Have students list the key characteristics of a fish and identify how each one is an adaptation.
• Have student’s research and identify the major differences between the three classes of fishes living today.
• Have students write about challenges other than breathing and movement that would be faced by a fish trying to live on land.
• Diagram three different food chains that include a fish.
• Diagram an aquatic food web.
• Have students work in small groups to design a lab that would test how a fish’s swim bladder works (suggest that they include a balloon in the lab if they remain stumped too long…).

1. Collect and score dissection data sheet/question worksheet.
2. Have students describe four adaptations that would be needed if a human being were to live under water.

Nature of Science: 8.1, 8.2, 8.8, 8.9

Scientific Attitudes/Habits of Mind: 8.10,8.11

Scientific Processes/Thinking Skills: 8.19

Laboratory Investigations/Hands-On Learning: 8.21, 8.23

Computer/Technology: 8.84, 8.91, and 8.98

National Standards

References:

Dissection http://www.d91.k12.id.us/www/skyline/teachers/robertsd/fish.htm

External Fish Anatomy http://badmanstropicalfish.com/anatomy.html

Internal Fish Anatomy Microsoft Encarta97/98

Kids’ Page/Fish Quiz http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/greatlakesfish/
 

Created by:

Kimberly D. Fowler

Darialouise K. Collins

Diane Stilwell

 
Other lessons within this unit:

    Mary Ingles, Follow the River
    Relating the Related Arts
    A Fish in Hand...

Related lessons:

    Go with the Flow
    Rolling, Rolling Down the River
    Water U Graphs
    Splish, Splash, I was out on a Raft
    Follow the River
    What's that Smell?