Start by printing out images of different types of fish and posting them around the learning space. Try to select pictures of different types of fish that might surprise students. Seahorses and sharks are fish. Interesting looking fish include lionfish and monkfish. Post the images at the eye level of students for better viewing.
Gather students and look at pictures of fish. Create a list of all the facts students know about fish. Discuss the parts of a fish and create a drawing sharing them with students. Make sure to include the fins, gills, scales, eyes, tail and skeleton. Discuss the functions of the parts and how they help the fish.
Give each student a sheet of paper and a selection of crayons or colored pencils. Have them draw their own fish, including all the important parts of the fish. When they are finished, have students write information about their fish on the bottom of their papers. Display students' fish alongside pictures of fish posted around the room.
Create a fish habitat with your students. Gather materials including two fish tanks or bowls along with several small fish such as goldfish. Other items, such as plastic plants, water plants and rocks, also will be needed.
Gather students and talk about what an environment is and how animals live in habitats. Have students share what things are in their home environment. Talk about how fish live in a water environment. Explain that they will help to create and maintain habitats for the fish.
Position one fish tank in a place where it will be able to receive natural light. Position the other in artificial light. Have students help place natural items in the fish tank with natural light and plastic plants in the tank with artificial light. Carefully pour water into the fish tanks with the student's help. Let the tanks settle for an hour before adding the fish.
Create charts to place next to the fish tanks to help students observe and document the changes in the fish tanks. Make observations and hypothesize about how the two fish takes will do. Have students check tanks daily and take turns writing down their observations and the differences between the two tanks. Which tank provides a happier and healthier environment for the fish?