fish life cycle exercise
Ref: F08

You have been reading about fish (B09d), the life cycle of salmon and trout (F02) and the habitat requirements for their survival (F01). Both these fish belong to the same family of fish ‘Salmo’ and have similar habitats. They both return to the river or stream to mate and lay eggs.

Trout

You will need to use your creative powers to present the life cycle of the salmon in a visually appealing way. Do not rely upon text, written words, to explain the stages in a salmon’s life but think about other ways to represent this cycle.

Some examples are:

1) You might choose to make a mobile and hang fish at different levels according to their stage in the life cycle. Eggs might be at the top with salmon that have returned from the sea at the bottom, but remember it is a cycle so you will need to think of a way to connect the two, as the returning fish will be spawning.

2) You could create a life cycle wheel, where the cycle can rotate like a windmill or bicycle wheel.

3) You could use clay to model salmon at different stages in the life cycle.

4) As an alternative you might choreograph a short play to demonstrate the life of a salmon. This play would explore where salmon live at different stages of their life, what they eat and what creatures they hide from. You will need to work in a small group and find materials that can be used to create the noise of the stream and the ocean, etc. Create different ways to move to mimic how salmon swim. Your play might take place over the course of a day in March.

5) Instead of acting out the play above, it could be planned as a radio play. You will have to consider how it would differ from a visual play as your listeners will not be able to see you.