Glittery Shell Fish

Compare and contrast various forms of ocean life, identify shellfish by their shell characteristics, and create ocean scenes inside shells.

1.

Find information about fish and shellfish that live in salt water. Find similarities and differences in the two creatures' physical characteristics, habitats, and lives. Look closely at real shells. Identify the names of several different types of seashells.
2.

Find clam or scallop shells that are white inside. You might search for them on a nearby beach, or ask friends and relatives whether they have some left from their vacations. Clean the shells so they are clear of debris and sand. Dry.
3.

Create miniature ocean paintings inside the shells using Crayola® Gel Markers. Fish, crabs, water, palm trees, swimmers, or a sailboat on the water are just a few examples of scenes you could use.
4.

Add sparkly highlights to your waves or fish scales, for example, with Crayola Glitter Glue. Dry.

Benefits

Students find out about varied forms of ocean life, including information on shellfish and how they differ from fish with scales.
Children identify various types of seashells, and recognize that at one time each shell was a home to a sea creature.
Students decorate the inside of a seashell with an ocean scene.

Using the type of shell that was painted, tell a story about the clam, scallop, or oyster that used to live in it.
Write a paragraph or poem about the painting inside the seashell. Edit and then rewrite it on colorful paper. Glue the shell beside it. This would make a great display or bulletin board.
With young children and some children with special needs, visit an aquarium, fishing wharf, and other sites so they can better grasp the context in which fish live and the great variety of sea life. Incorporate learning through as many of their senses as possible: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste.
If you live far from the coast, create your own shell replicas from Crayola® Model Magic using book illustrations and online pictures as your guide. Impress patterns in the outer surfaces of partly-dry Model Magic shapes and design colorful surfaces with markers and glitter glue.