What Lives In A Shell?

by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld illustrated by Helen K. Davis

A unit for second grade based on the story, What Lives In A Shell?

Houghton Miflin Reading Series Level 2.1: Nature Detective.

Subject Area: Science

Grade Level: Grade Two

Procedure:

Benchmarks/GLE

NETS Standards

Lesson 1: Vertebrates vs Invertebrates (1 class period)

Activity 1: Introduce the students to the concepts of animals with backbones (vertebrates) and animals without backbones (invertebrates). Use a brainstorming activity to generate lists of animals for each category.

Activity 2: Give each student a copy of the Invertebrate Worksheet. Have them circle the appropriate animals.

Activity 3: Distribute the Story Sheet 1 and Story Sheet 2. Each student should have a copy of one of the sheets. Using the Story Answer Sheet, have the students complete the first set of questions as they read the story. When they have completed their stories, have the students or groups present their animal so the other students (groups) can complete their sheets.

Have the students keep all their work in a folder until the project is complete.

Processes of life

Science Standard 1

Primary Benchmark E: The student compares and describes the structural characteristics of animals.

Performance Indicators

Grades PreK-2

1,2,3,4,9,10

Lesson 2: Exoskeletons (1 class period)

Materials needed: Elmer's Glue, small cups, paintbrushes, paper towels

Give each student a copy of the Shell Activity Worksheet. Students should trace their thumb in each of the spaces, and answer questions 1-5. Paint a THIN layer of Elmer's glue on the thumb of each child (I would suggest that the glue be painted on the opposite thumb from the writing hand). Allow enough time to let the glue dry. You might read a story such as Kermit the Hermit by Bill Peet during this time. When the glue has dried, have the students wiggle their thumb to try to split the glue and wiggle out of it. Have the students answer question #6

Same as above

Same as above

Lesson 3: Crustaceans (2/3 class periods)

Activity 1: (This may be done in a lab setting). Have the students read the "What is a Crustacean?" web page. Discuss the different characteristics of crustaceans. 

Teacher Resource Page for Crustaceans

Activity 2: (May also be done in a lab setting) Have the students visit the Blue Crab website. Discuss what is happening in each image. Have the students verbalize the sequence of events.

Activity Three: Divide the students into groups of two or three. Give each student one of the Crustacean worksheets (you may give each student more if desired). Allow the students to visit the websites on the Student Page to complete the worksheets. Students may color the animals when they have completed the information. Keep all completed sheets in student folders.

Hermit Crab Worksheet

Crab Worksheet

Crayfish Worksheet

Horseshoe Crab Worksheet

Lobster Worksheet

Shrimp Worksheet

Additional Resources:

Crustacean Dot to Dot

Same as above

Same as above

Lesson 4: Mollusks (2/3 class periods)

Activity 1: Give each student a copy of the Clam Comic Worksheet. Have them read the comic and complete the worksheet.

Activity 2: (This may be done in a lab setting). Have the students read paragrpahs in the "What is a Mollusk?"section of the web page. Discuss the different characteristics of mollusks, and how they are the same as and different from crustaceans. 

Teacher Resource Page for Mollusks

Activity 3: Divide the students into groups. Have each group read the introduction for one of the types of mollusks: univalves, bivalves and cephalopods. Have the groups report on what they have read. After each group has reported, make a chart comparing the three types of mollusks. Tell how they are the same and how they are differnt.

Activity 4: Give each student one univalve, one bivalve and one cephalopod worksheet (you may give each student more if desired). Allow the students to visit the websites on the Student Page to complete the worksheets. Students may color the animals when they have completed the information. Keep all completed sheets in student folders.

Bay Scallop Worksheet (bivalve)

Clam Worksheet (bivalve)

Conch Worksheet (univalve)

Cuttlefish Worksheet (cephalopod)

Limpet Worksheet (univalve)

Octopus Worksheet (cephalopod)

Oyster Worksheet (bivalve)

Scallop Worksheet (bivalve)

Snail Worksheet (univalve)

Squid Worksheet (cephalopod)

Whelk Worksheet (univalve)

Optional: If time allows, have students read How Pearls Are Made on the Bivalve page.

Additional Resources:

Sea Shell Rhyme

Same as above

Same as above

Lesson 5: Shell Identification and Comparision (1 class period)

Activity 1: Place shells in plastic bags. Give each group one bag of shells. Using the websites on the Student Page, students will complete the Sea Shell Identification Sheets. Print one sheet for each group (sample sheets listed below).

Bag #1

Bag #2

Bag #3

Bag #4

Bag #5

Bag #6

Bag #7

Activity 2: Have the students visit the American Museum of Natural History Online Field Journal website. Students will complete the activity, describing each shell and listing how the shells are alike and different on a sheet of paper.

Same as above

Same as above

Lesson 6: Kidspiration (1 class period)

Print a copy of the Invertebrate Match Sheet.Students can draw lines from the animal to the appropriate box or write the name of the animal in the box.

Lesson 7: Final (1 class period)

Give each student a copy of the Animals That Live In Shells Worksheet to complete.