Prickly Sea Stars

           By Natalie Lunis 

 

 

Summary

This nonfiction text explores the wide world of sea stars.  It teaches many facts about sea stars and is full of colorful photographs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities

 

1.   Language Arts

 

      A.    Activity     Parts of a Book

Using the story, the students will learn about the important parts of expository text.  To check understanding, they can complete the available worksheet “Parts of a Book.”

             TEKS:        LA/R – 5, 7, 15

 

      B.    Activity     Online Parts of a Book

The students will practice using the glossary by visiting www.bearportpublishing.com/nobackbone and completing the sea star crossword puzzle.

              TEKS:        LA/R – 5, 7 15

 

2.   Math

 

      A.   Activity      Word Problems

The teacher will guide the students in creating story problems using the rays of sea stars. Then they will illustrate their story problem.  Example:  There are two sea stars.  They each have 5 rays.  How many rays are there in all?

             TEKS:        M – 3, 4, 14

 

3.   Science

 

      A.   Activity      Invertebrates

The students will explore the world of invertebrates using Pebblego.com.  They will choose 2 invertebrates from the list on Pebblego.  They need to research facts such as where they live, what they are made of, and what they eat.  They can explore the website and watch video clips, look at pictures, and play games.

             TEKS:        S – 5, 6, 8

 

      B.   Activity      Comparing Invertebrates

Using the research from the previous activity, use a graphic organizer to compare and contrast.

              TEKS:       S – 5, 6, 8

 

4.   Social Studies

 

      A.   Activity      Oceans

Sea stars are located in all of the oceans.  The students will locate the oceans using a globe.  They will discuss the location of the oceans.  Then they will choose one ocean. Draw an ocean seen using crayon. Be sure to write the name of the ocean on the paper.  Next they will wash the picture with blue paint to make a crayon resist picture.  Finally, they will use sponges cut in the shape of stars to paint sea stars on the pictures using tempera.

             TEKS:        SS – 5, 15, 17

 

5. Art

 

      A.  Activity       Create a Sea Star

There are 1800 kinds of sea stars.  The students will use a variety of art materials to design and create their own unique sea star.

            TEKS:         A – 2

 

Internet Resources

 

 

      Other Web Resources

                      Pebblego.com

                      www.bearportpublishing.com/NoBackbones

 

Literary Connections

 

Stone, Lynn.  Sea Stars.  Rourke Publishing, 2006.

Svancara, Theresa. Sea Stars and other Echinoderms. World Book, 2002.

Zuchora-Walaske, Christine. Spiny Sea Stars. Lerner, 2001.

 

 

 

Submitted by Cynthia Ladyman, Carolene Duff, Dorothy West, and Candice Stuart