Amazing Aquatic Creatures

Lesson Overview

Lesson Title: Introduction to Fish
Unit: Fascinating Fish Facts (Lesson 1 of 10)
Year Level: Year 2
Curriculum Area: Science
NZ Curriculum Strand: Living World – Life Processes
Achievement Objective: Recognise that all living things have certain requirements so they can stay alive.

Learning Intentions

Students will:

• Identify the key characteristics of fish.
• Understand that fish live in water and have specific needs to survive.
• Recognise different types of fish found in New Zealand.

Success Criteria

Students will be able to:
✅ Describe three characteristics of fish.
✅ Explain where fish live and what they need to survive.
✅ Name at least one fish found in New Zealand waters.

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Lesson Structure (30 minutes)

1. Engage – Hook into Learning (5 minutes)

🔹 Mystery Box Activity: Bring in a closed box containing fish-related items (e.g., a plastic fish, a shell, a small net, seaweed). Pass the box around and let students guess what could be inside.
🔹 Class Discussion: “What do you think makes a fish different from other animals?”

2. Explore – Hands-on Discovery (10 minutes)

🌊 Fish Features Chart: Use a large poster or digital slide with a simple labelled diagram of a fish (fins, gills, scales, and tail). Discuss each part briefly.
🎣 Movement Activity: Ask students to move like fish – wiggle their bodies like they are swimming, "breathe" like fish (taking in "water"), and "swish" their tails.

3. Explain – Teacher-Led Learning (5 minutes)

📖 Storytelling: Read a short, engaging picture book or tell a fun, simple story about a fish living in New Zealand waters, such as a snapper or kahawai.
💬 Class Discussion: What do fish need to survive? (Water, food, oxygen, shelter)

4. Elaborate – Thinking Deeper (5 minutes)

🐟 Fish Sorting Activity: Show images of different sea creatures (e.g., fish, dolphins, crabs, jellyfish). Students work in small groups or pairs to sort which animals are fish and which are not.

5. Evaluate – Reflection & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

❓ Exit Question: Have each student share one new fact they learned about fish.
🎨 Creative Extension (Optional): Provide paper and crayons for students to draw their own fish and label one or two features.

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Resources Needed

🔹 Large poster or slide of a fish diagram
🔹 Mystery box with fish-related objects
🔹 Images of different sea creatures for sorting activity
🔹 A simple picture book about fish

Assessment Opportunities

📌 Formative Assessment:
✅ Observing participation in discussions and activities
✅ Listening to students' explanations in the sorting activity
✅ Checking student drawings or verbal reflections

Extensions & Cross-Curricular Links

• 📚 Literacy: Students write a short sentence or description about their favourite fish.
• 🎨 Art: Students create fish paintings using watercolours or collage materials.
• 🌍 Environmental Science: Discuss the importance of looking after our oceans and rivers to protect fish habitats.

Teacher Reflection

🔍 Post-Lesson Notes: What worked well? What could be improved for Lesson 2?

🌟 Next Lesson (Lesson 2): Fish Habitats – Where Do Fish Live?