Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to identify and learn about whale sharks, including their characteristics, habitat, and diet.
Materials and Prep
- Computer or tablet with internet access
- Printer (optional)
Before starting the lesson, make sure you have a computer or tablet with internet access. If you have a printer, you can print out any worksheets or coloring pages mentioned in the activities section.
Activities
- Watch a Video: Start by watching a short educational video about whale sharks. You can find many videos on platforms like YouTube. Pay attention to their size, appearance, and unique characteristics.
- Read a Book: Read a children's book about whale sharks. Look for books with colorful illustrations and simple text that explains basic facts about these amazing creatures.
- Coloring Activity: Print out a coloring page of a whale shark or draw your own. Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color the picture. You can even add details like the spots on their skin.
- Create a Fact Sheet: Using the information you learned from the video and book, create a simple fact sheet about whale sharks. Include their size, diet, habitat, and any other interesting facts you discovered. You can write or draw the information on a piece of paper.
Kindergarten Grade Talking Points
- "Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean. They can grow up to 40 feet long!"
- "Whale sharks have unique patterns of spots on their skin, just like our fingerprints."
- "They are gentle creatures and feed mostly on tiny organisms called plankton."
- "Whale sharks live in warm ocean waters around the world, including the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Australia."
- "Did you know that whale sharks are not whales? They are actually sharks, but they are called 'whale sharks' because of their large size."