Learning Resources and Activities 
for Primary Grades

Lesson Plans

Lesson plans and any required background information and student handouts necessary to teach each lesson.

Salmonids in the classroom-Primary  

Related Resources and Activities for Primary Audiences 

• Alphabet Poster

• Brochures

• Classroom Incubation Program

• Egg to Fry Display

• Life Cycle Poster

• Life Cycle Poster Set

• Life Cycle Puppets

• Marine and Aquatic Educators' Guide

• Ocean Animal Clue Cards

• Once Upon a Seashore

• Salish Sea: A Handbook for Educators

• Salmonids in the Classroom - Primary

• Storm Drain Marking Program

• Teacher In-service Sessions

Alphabet Poster 

This full color poster provides a salmon-related drawing and word for every letter of the alphabet. Works well with Salmonids in the Classroom - Primary package. 48cm x 80 cm. Published 1993. $15 (BCTF #S60).

Sample sets of Fisheries and Oceans Canada publications can be obtained for teacher review by downloading an order form of stewardship publications  No charge. Some relevant titles:

• The Incredible Salmonids (species descriptions, migration patterns)

• Where and When to See Salmon (guide to spawning channels, hatcheries) 

• Do YOU Know Your Fish? (for parents) 

• Scales and Tales (information/game sheets for ages 8 - 12)

• Home Tips for Healthy Streams

Thousands of B.C. and Yukon school children are learning about salmonids in a hands-on way through Stream to Sea's Classroom Incubation Program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada provides specially-equipped aquariums for classrooms studying Salmonids in the Classroom. These aquariums are stocked with salmonid eggs, which students care for and monitor until the fry are ready for release to a local creek. This fry release provides an excellent opportunity for a field trip. While it offers one of the most rewarding educational experiences when used in conjunction with Salmonids in the Classroom or a science unit, this program does require considerable teacher commitment and attendance at an in-service session. Supply of aquariums is limited and not all requests can be met in any given year. Contact your Community Advisor or Education Coordinator  to inquire about the availability of this Program in your community. No charge.

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Show your students four life cycle stages of the Pacific Salmon: eggs, eyed eggs, alevin and fry. This is a great way to augment the new primary and intermediate Salmonids in the Classroom. Specimens are preserved in four glass vials for easy viewing and securely installed in a wooden display rack that can be handled by students. 15 cm x 10 cm x 3 cm. $23 ($50 USD for orders outside of Canada) (BCTF #S50).

Colour poster of salmon migration from stream to ocean and home again. Detailed highlights give stages of life cycle. Included with Primary Salmonids in the Classroom (BCTF #S33). 46 cm x 91cm. Published 2002. $15. (BCTF #S34).

Eight color posters depicting the life cycle stages of salmon. These posters work well with the Primary Salmonids in the Classroom package. 8 posters. (28 cm x 38 cm. Published 1988. $18. (BCTF #S35A).

Five child-sized hand-sewn sock puppets to be utilized with the new Salmonids in the Classroom. Puppets depict egg, alevin, fry, adult and spawner stages. Detailed body markings are of sturdy felt so that puppets can be handled by students. $45 (BCTF #S55).

In 1997, Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertook a review of existing marine conservation learning resources to determine if any met the key concepts identified as priority educational messages by the Department. The results of the review have been summarized in the Marine and Aquatic Educator's Resource Guide, as a service to teachers who are often seeking educational materials related to aquatic conservation. Published 2001. 49 pages. $15 (BCTF #S70).

Students will enjoy discovering the mystery plants and animals from Gloria Snively's 72 educational clue cards. Each card includes an illustration of the organism on the front side and questions on the back which provide clues to the identity of the organism. Describes our common crabs, barnacles, sea stars, snails, anemones, urchins, clams, fish, shore birds, seaweeds, and more. The cards can be used to play 12 different games that lead students into a deeper understanding of the marine environment. Although designed for school use with "Once Upon A Seashore", youth groups, nature camps and families will all find the Clue Cards a rich source of information about the natural history of Pacific Coast organisms. 72 cards and storage box. Published 2000. $23 (BCTF #S66).

 

This wonderful ocean companion written by Gloria Snively allows teachers in both coastal and inland locations to use the seashore as a source of inspiration for integrating across art, creative writing, drama, science, mathematics, and social studies subject areas. Topics include basic ecology concepts, organisms, tidal cycles, habitat, predator-prey, food chains, life cycles, loss of habitat, and above all, conservation. Lessons include key concepts, learning outcomes, background information, teaching procedures, and evaluative techniques. Teachers are given suggestions for planning and organizing field trips as well as learning cycles for a day at the seashore. All of the activities have been field tested by BC teachers. Contains an illustrated glossary, 20 activity sheets, and 42 black and white line drawings that can be made into transparencies. The Clue Cards (BCTF S66) have been designed for use with this resource guide. Published 2001. 304 pages. $40 (BCTF #S65).

Conservation messages are brought to the next generation of decision-makers-our children-through the medium of music. The Handbook includes a copy of the Salish Sea CD, featuring singer-songwriter Holly Arntzen, accompanied by choirs from the Saanich School District on southern Vancouver Island. Richly illustrated with over 75 drawings, including 10 full-page copy masters that may be printed or made into overheads. Includes over 70 activities, integrated across the subject areas of Fine Arts, Science and Social Studies. Activities are correlated to BC Ministry of Education IRPs. Published 2001. 108 pages. $30 (BCTF #S68).

For 20 years, teachers around the province have been raising salmon in the classroom and taking kids on field-trips to local streams. The good news is that the classroom resource that supports this program has undergone a complete revision. Organized around the salmon life cycle, each unit contains at least one strong science-based activity and many suggestions for language arts and fine arts. Assessment strategies are provided, including links to the Integrated Resource Packages. Includes a "Life Cycle of the Pacific Salmon Poster". Published 2002. 152 pages. $79 (BCTF #S33).

Carried out in urban areas under sponsorship of Fisheries and Oceans Canada this program gives children an active role in protecting their environment by marking storm drains with bright yellow fish and circulating information to advise residents that these drains empty into local creeks. A video (for children) and manual (for teachers or leaders) are available. This activity is suitable for children working in small groups and supervision is mandatory. Contact your Community Advisor or Education Coordinator to obtain the necessary materials to conduct this activity. No charge.

In-service sessions are conducted on a regular basis and can be initiated by the school district. Workshops on various topics run from one to three hours to whole day sessions and are held at the participants' convenience (after school, on weekends or on professional development days). Contact your Community Advisor or Education Coordinator to see what in-service sessions are available in your community. No charge.