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Lesson Plan One – Blue Whales
Activity three – Studying and Identifying whales
Curriculum Connections
Science: Grades 4-6
- Appreciate nature and the need to conserve area for future generations to enjoy
- Observe characteristics, similarities and differences
- Draw inferences and make predictions based on data
Language Arts: Grade 4-6
- Use a variety of sources to gather information
- Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving
- Sort and classify information
Objectives:
Students learn how scientists identify different whales and why this is an important part of studying whales
Background:
An important part of protecting species is being able to track and count them. Knowing how many are in a given area and being able to tell one animal from another can help determine if a population needs special protection. These factors are also considered when determining what status a species is to be listed at under the Species at Risk Act.
Scientists have developed various ways to count and keep track of species. This activity will explore how scientists can identify one whale from another even when their markings make them look very similar. This is useful when scientists need to track a particular whale and is important when counting whales to make sure you don't count the same one twice.
Materials:
- Photocopy the blue whale dorsal fin image page from the education kit as required. 2 copies per student or per group of students.
- Photocopy the humpback whale fluke image page from the education kit as necessary. 2 copies per student or per group of students.
- Scissors
- Plastic holders or bags to store photos
*Note: if students have access to the internet this activity can be completed on online: follow the instructions on the web site at: www????
Let's get started!
It is important to be able to tell one whale from another even when they are the same species and look very similar. This is useful when scientists need to track a particular whale and when they are counting whales to ensure they don't count the same one twice.
Every whale is unique. Like human beings they have certain characteristics that make them different from one another. In blue whales and orcas the dorsal fin and body markings are used to help tell one whale from another.
Although humpbacks are not at risk, scientists do study them and the fluke markings and shapes are used to identify them. In this activity, students will use photographs and drawings to identify whales by their flukes and dorsal fins.
The dorsal fin images and fluke images are formatted nine to a page. Print out two copies of each page. Keep one of each page whole and cut the other up so that you have nine separate fluke images and nine separate dorsal fin images.
Make sure the whales names are cut off the images to be matched.
Laminating these pages or having the students glue them to card stock or card board will make them sturdier. Put each fluke or dorsal fin page and its matching images together in a plastic page holder or bag.
The whole class, small groups or individual students can match flukes and dorsal fins.
Talk about it! Adapt these questions to further your discussion.
- How many did you match correctly?
- Was it difficult?
- How can scientists use flukes and dorsal fins to help them study whales?
- Why would scientists use more than one physical trait to identify individual whales?
- What other ways could you identify whales?
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