Lesson Plan
Project Oceanography

Fish Shape

For Teachers 4th - 7th
A fish's size, fins, and shape can tell us a lot about them! Learners explore fish anatomy to see how species use camouflage, scales, shape, and coloration to survive. The lesson includes advanced vocabulary such as fusiform shape,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish Anatomy

For Teachers 2nd - 10th
Add a handy reference sheet about fish anatomy and functioning to your learners' biology or animal notebooks. Though this resource doesn't provide any practice, it makes a useful addition to any study of anatomy, biology, species, fish,...
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Create a Fish

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Don't just teach learners to fish, but to create fish. The class discusses fish heads and predicts whether where the fish might live and what it eats. Given an index card with a fish adaptation written on it, pupils construct an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freshwater Fish Anatomy & Taxonomy

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders use a classification key to identify organisms.  In this classification lesson students identify freshwater species of fish and document their observations. 
Lesson Plan
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)

Fish Morphology

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Life comes in all different shapes and sizes, and fish are no exception. Here, young scientists create fish prints as they learn how specific characteristics allow different species to survive in their particular habitats.
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Fish Prints

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
What do a dead fish, conservation, and paint have in common? The answer is a great lesson about fish anatomy, fun print making techniques, and unsustainable fishing practices. The class will start by making fish prints with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go Fish!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
So much science in one tiny fish! Introduce young biologists to the zebrafish, a common aquarium inhabitant. The small, unassuming organism presents an opportunity for learners to study habituation using an easy-to-care-for species. Lab...
Lesson Plan
Aquarium of the Pacific

Fish for a Day

For Teachers K - 2nd
A short video shows how a scuba divers' equipment relates to major parts of a fish. Learners draw two fish and identify what aspects are the same and which are different. The scholars then draw a scuba diver, making sure they provide all...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pacific Salmon and Mountain Pine Beetle

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Learners compare fish anatomy. For this teacher demonstrated dissection lesson, students compare fish anatomy to that of humans. They explore different fish and their unique properties.  There are 4 distinct activities which can be...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build-A-Fish

For Teachers K - 8th
Students identify the basic external anatomy of a fish. After identifying the parts of the fish, students explain the function of each body part and how it is related to the whole. They discover how the shape of a fish help to propel it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Fish Tale

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students conduct an experiment. In this fish lesson, students discover how fish cells respond to fresh and salty water and if temperature effect the movement of a fish's gills. Students also identify the characteristics of a fish.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating a Fresh Fish

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the anatomy of a fish. In this adaptations lesson plan, 4th graders look at fresh fish and identify their adaptations and decide where they think the fish may live. Students draw and label the fish and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get to Know a Fish

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students discover the anatomy of a fish by identifying its body parts.  In this oceanography lesson plan, students view a live fish in their classroom and draw a poster of the fish one body part at a time while identifying it....
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Fish Forms

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you can add art to any lesson! While little learners are discovering why fish have specific body parts such as, scales, fins, and gills, they start making three-dimensional fish forms. Children...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish Fashion 101

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore fish anatomy. In this fish anatomy and adaptation lesson plan, students define and identify the location of fish body parts. Students add these parts of a fish's anatomy to a life-sized fish costume worn by a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drawing Fish

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students practice creating art by imitating the camouflage of fish. In this animal characteristic lesson, students identify certain fish and their ability to change colors in order to survive in the wild. Students utilize coloring...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trout Cookies

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners explore the external anatomy of a fish. In this anatomy and adaptations lesson, students look at an image of a trout and identify its various external features including fins, eyes, spots, parr marks and lateral line. Learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Floating Fishes: Fishing Expedition

For Teachers 4th - 8th
A referenced PowerPoint is not included, but this instructional activity can still make an impact with emerging environmentalists. After introducing them to the facts about overfishing, they experiment with a fishing simulation using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity 3 - Fish Anatomy: A Comparison Between Temperate and Antarctic Fishes

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students are explained that Antarctic Nototherioid fishes survive harsh conditions. These conditions would kill almost any other temperate zone organism. They work in small groups to investigate a typical temperate marine fish. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go Fish

For Teachers K - 2nd
Here is a good art lesson on creating colorful versions of fish. After studying images of a variety of fish, young artists choose one that they want to create an image of. Using some high-quality materials, they create their masterpieces...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fishy Behavior

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Here's a lab that may make you rethink that morning cup of coffee. Biology scholars test the effects of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine on the behavior of zebrafish through an intriguing experiment. Learners observe fish...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Learn about Fish

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore fish. In this aquatic life science lesson, students complete a KWL chart about fish, listen to What's it Like to be a Fish?, and observe a classroom aquarium or take a trip to a local aquarium. Learners complete an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fish Identification Skills

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Pupils describe the roles of various organisms in the same environment. They study fish based on thier behavior and features. In addition, they identify fish based on specific characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Fish: Anatomy and Diversity in the Chesapeake Bay"

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore a variety of basic fish body form and their functions. They differentiate between different species of fish found in the Chesapeake Bay and St. Mary's River. In addition, they match pictures with descriptions using...