Fish Family Feud

Introduction:

Identifying local species is a good way to give students confidence in their scientific abilities and is extremely applicable.  Contact your state's DNR for information and pamphlets about local fish.  Flashcards can be easy to make by putting the picture on the front with the name and description on the back.  Lamination is also an option for longer preservation in classroom and field use.

National Standards Addressed:

The standard of Form and Function under the concept of Unifying Principles of Biology is addressed in this lesson by showing differences within a group of animals.  It also covers Populations, Resources, and Environments under Science in Personal and Social Perspectives by identifying local organisms in different habitats in the area.  The standard of Populations and Ecosystems under Life Science concepts teaches the role in the food web and diversity of organisms.

Objectives and Benchmarks:

This activity allows students to realize the diversity of local fish and applies that knowledge outside of the classroom.  At the completion of this activity, the teacher will determine a set number of correct identifications each student should complete.

Materials:

Fish Flash cards and original poster/pamphlet

Advanced Preparation:

Students should break into 2 equal groups.  Each group will be given a few posters to review for approximately ten minutes.  Posters will be collected.  One student from each group will come up to the front to compete over one flashcard. Whoever names it first will have their team given the first chance to name the flashcards.  Each student will have an opportunity to try to identify a card.  When one person misses, then it reverts to the other team. 

Things to consider:

Which fish are native and which are introduced? What role does the fish play in the food web?  Are they .helpful. fish in the ecosystem that they live in or are they considered to be pests?

Possible Integration:

One possible way to integrate this activity is to incorporate it into an ecology unit or a taxonomy unit. 

Critical Concepts:

Habitat               Environment             Identification              Food Webs