INTRODUCTION

    The following information is based on Kindergarten to Grade 4 Science: Manitoba Curriculum Framework of Outcomes which itself is based on the Pan-Canadian's Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes (K - 12). Each outcome includes a brief description of the outcome, teacher background information, suggestions for instruction, a list of the general learning outcomes (GLOs) covered and overall skills and attitudes (cluster 0 outcomes) addressed in the outcome. Each outcome also contains a page number reference to the Manitoba Education and Youth document entitled "Kindergarten to Grade 4 Science: A Foundation for Implementation" (1999). Also, where appropriate, worksheets, activities and examples have been included.
    To download these activities and/or worksheets (A=Activity... W=Worksheet...), right click on the corresponding colour button(s) for each learning outcome.
Select "Save Target As" to save the exercises to your computer as Adobe PDF files. To view these files, open Adobe Acrobat Reader and open the PDF files. To download a free copy of the reader, click here.













    The environment in which an animal lives is called habitat. Every habitat must be able to supply food, water, shelter, and space because these are the things that animals need to live.
    Fish get these requirements from their aquatic habitats, which include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and aquariums. The type and amount of food, shelter, and space that a fish needs depends on the species of fish. For example, small fish such as shiners require less space and shelter than a big fish such as northern pike or channel catfish. For more information about fish habitat, see Teacher Background Information in "Fish Survival Game" and "Water Habitat Model" or click here to visit the Manitoba Fisheries Sustainable Development website.













    Students will learn just how important habitat is to the survival of fish through a fun, interactive game. All you need to play is an open space and a little enthusiasm!


                 

    With this fun and creative activity, students will be able to create their own "underwater habitat" for fish! Students can learn about and choose a Manitoba fish species. Then, using a shoebox and craft supplies, students will create a 3D diorama of a habitat for their fish. Students can mould their fish out of clay or plasticine and add rocks and twigs to the "lake bottom". Encourage them to get creative (like using raisins as aquatic bugs)!








    Many animals have certain physical characteristics that help them adapt to their environment and also allow them to survive. These adaptations can help them move, hide, find food, eat, survive in extreme temperatures, and many more.
    Many human inventions throughout time have been modeled after animals' physical adaptations. For example, many hunters wear camouflaged clothing so that they may hide from prey, the same way that many reptiles, like snakes, have camouflaged skin so that their prey cannot see them and get scared away. Humans also invented airplanes, whose design resembles a bird in flight. From something as simple as clothing to something as complicated as an airplane, many modern inventions that we enjoy today were inspired by natural adaptations. For more inventions inspired by animals, see "Physical Adaptations".













    This fun activity has students using their imaginations to predict how the animal adaptations identified have inspired humans to create similar inventions. For example, a duck's feet help it swim. They also resemble flippers that divers use to swim. Humans may have been inspired by this adaptation to create flippers to help them swim better! What other animal adaptations may have inspired humans?







    A food chain is the transfer of food energy from plants through a series of animals, each being eaten by another animal. Food energy supplied from plants comes from the Sun.
    Each organism in a food chain plays an important role in that chain. Each chain must begin with plants, which are also referred to as producers. All other organisms organisms in a chain are consumers, which usually increase in size the further up the chain they are. When one of these organisms is removed from a food chain, the chain is disrupted. To learn more about food chains and the roles of Manitoba fish species in the food chain, see Teacher Background Information in "Food Chains."

















    Students will create their own food chains using string and various shapes that represent different roles within a food chain. Make sure to include a Manitoba fish in your food chain!


    Using the food chains that students made in the activity above, create a complex food web, joining the chains where similar organisms were selected. Once the web is completed, label all the producers, consumers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, predators, prey, and scavengers using colour-coded pieces of paper!







    A food chain is the transfer of food energy through a series of animals in an ecosystem. A food chain is only one path that energy can take. If you trace all the different links that the energy can follow, you have a food web.
    The removal of an organism can have a great effect on a food web because each organism has important roles in the food chain. Each organism is a food source for another organism. If you take one of them out, the organisms that rely on it for food will be impacted. To learn more about the specific roles of aquatic organisms and the effects of removing them, see Teacher background Information in "Spinning a Food Web."
















    With this fun and interactive activity, students will learn about the effects of removing an organism from a food web. All you need to get started is some string and an imagination!







    Our actions have an impact on fish and other living things in the environment. Particularly in aquatic ecosystems, the things we build, the products we use, and the activities we enjoy may change or disrupt natural aquatic ecosystems and environments. For example, some household products and chemicals end up in our sewer system and eventually in natural water bodies. These can be harmful to fish and other organisms. Also, many leisure activities can impact fish, like power-boating.
    There are many things that we can do to minimize our impact on aquatic ecosystems, including conserving water and using environmentally friendly products. To learn more about sound environmental practices, refer to the "Learning Centres" activities.



















    Split your class into three groups. Each group will rotate through each centre described below. These activities are also available in colouring book format so that students may add their own personal touch by colouring the images on the activity sheets.


    With this fun, printable board game students will have the chance to test their knowledge about sound water stewardship and habitat conservation practices as well as Manitoba fish species trivia. Everything you need for this game is included. Some assembly is required.


    Students will follow the directions to create two different aquatic habitats using two different tubs filled with water. Then they will decide which habtitat is most suitable for Freddy the Fish. After the activity they will complete the worksheet to explain their choice. For this centre you will need to gather the specified materials prior to activity day.





    This centre allows students to get creative as they brainstorm ideas about how to prevent pollution and conserve water. They will then present their ideas artistically on a large mural that can then be posted in the classroom or school.







The following activity can be used as an activating strategy or as part of a review for Cluster 1: Habitats and Communities.

    Lake sturgeon are among the oldest living animals, dating back to prehistoric times. They have long life spans and can grow to be very large. The largest recorded sturgeon in Manitoba was caught in 1903. It was approximately 150 years old and weighed 184 kg.
    Sturgeon have a shark-like appearance. They are bottom-feeders, using their barbels to detect food and their sucker-like mouths to suck food from the lake or river bottom. They feed mainly on aquatic insects, crayfish, and other benthic invertebrates.
    Historically, sturgeon were an important food source for First Nations peoples. Later, they gained commercial value when sturgeon eggs began being eaten as caviar, an expensive delicacy.
    The once thriving numbers of sturgeon have dwindled. Presently in Manitoba, COSEWIC (the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) has designated the lake sturgeon as an endangered species. For more interesting sturgeon facts, refer to the Did You Know? page in "Fishing for Sturgeon Facts".













    There is a lot to learn about this prehistoric and interesting fish species. This fun and interactive game allows students to challenge each other with sturgeon trivia.