Shark Day & Superfish

To end our Sea Creature unit we had a fun shark day at school. Students did many shark activities and then Mr. Musselman of the Science Center was in to share his Superfish presentation today. Our kindergarten marine biologist students learned about vertebrates and invertebrates. The first creature comes from an unexpected sea creature family, the bird family! We learned about penguins. They have beaks and feathers and can be many sizes.

Then we explored invertebrates, particularly the mollusks. We noted their exoskeletons and discovered other commonalities. We learned that each of the ones we talked about are filter feeders. The clams live in the sand of the beach and use their strong muscle (like a tongue) to burrow in the sand for safety from the birds. We also compared scallop and clam.

We also learned about sea stars and the strong suction they have to open the bi-valve animals when they eat. Mr. Mussleman demonstrated this force of the sea stars suction cups by using a plunger and he stuck it to ut classroom floor and then couldn't get it off!  

We then looked at the lobster. They have exoskeletons and very large strong claws to help them eat! One is the crusher and the other is the pincher.

Students impressed Mr. Musselman as they directed him as he assembled is superfish model.  We knew the many parts of the fish!

Finally we observed a very smart creature, the octopus!  Like the sea star he uses very strong suction cups that are along its tentacles.  The octopus can outsmart its prey by changing its colors to lure prey towards it or scare away a predator.  Finally, they may squirt their ink out to scare away or or confuse other creatures.  The New England Aquarium octopus is so clever, he has even been caught trying to escape, or grab a snack in the neighboring tank!