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Aquarium Acrobats

Aquarium Acrobats

What's swimming in that tank? Are those swaying anemones plants or animals? Fill a model aquarium with underwater acrobats!

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Craft Materials
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Recycled Cardboard Box
  • Sandpaper
  • Sticks
  • String

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have students observe an aquarium, either online or at a local aquarium or pet store. Then ask them to research aquarium needs, such as which creatures can live together and which must be kept separate, which require saltwater and which ones thrive in freshwater, temperature and other water conditions, filtration needs, etc. Ask them to also find out how live plants contribute to aquarium life.

  • Step 2

    Have students divide into small teams and have each team member take notes about one of the creatures or plants they researched. These ideas will be combined into a team-designed diorama.

  • Step 3

    To create a watercolor-crayon resist for the diorama's background, have students press firmly with crayons and then paint over the scene with watercolors. The wax will resist the watercolors, so the fish and plants will look like they are in water.

  • Step 4

    Next have them glue the background with sea creatures and plants to the back and sides of the box. To create the diorama have them put two holes in each of the top sides of the box, then insert two sticks across the top. Decorate the aquarium's bottom by gluing sandpaper and some shells and other craft items. Then paint the outside.

  • Step 5

    Ask students to design small fish and sea creatures on paper, illustrating the front and back, and then cut them out. Put a hole in the top of each one. Tie string through the hole and attach them to the sticks. Cover the front of the aquarium with clear plastic wrap. Wiggle and twist the sticks to see the aquarium acrobats in motion.

Standards

ARTS: Explore and invent art-making techniques and approaches.

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Design pictorial or graphic representations/ models that are useful in communicating ideas.

SCI: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information based on evidence.

Adaptations

Students select one land and one marine species to compare and contrast. Research can focus on topics such as the environments each species lives in, characteristics of each, what each feeds on, how each adapts for survival, etc. Students can use Crayola Model Magic to create examples of each species and use these during class or small group presentations. A written summary of research could accompany presentations for classroom display.

Have students investigate marine species on the endangered species list. Ask them to prepare a mock presentation to an elected official to suggest ways to improve survival conditions and advocate for change.