Shells of the World Activity Station
The goal of this activity is to learn about different types of shells from around the world and how scientists identify them by their characteristics.
Objective: Given an assortment of shells, the student will sort the shells into groups based on common characteristics. Objective: The students will compare groups of shells with different characterisitcs and relate the characterisitcs to the geographical location of the shells. |
Like humans, each type of shell has its own individual characteristics. Humans have different hair and eye colors, while shells have similar traits that make each one different. We will sort our shells into groups by finding the features they have in common. Examples of similar characteristics are shape, size, color, spines (do they have them or not?), and whether the original animal had one shell or two (snails have one, clams have two).
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Begin by comparing all the shells on the table. (Please handle the shells carefully, as they are easily broken.) Divide the shells into two groups. Every shell in each group must share a common characteristic. If you find a shell that does not have any characteristics in common with the others, set it aside in its own group. |
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Inquiry question: What was one major difference between these animals when they were alive? |
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Next, divide each of group into two more. As before, you must decide on one major characteristic that is shared by all of the shells in your new group. Continue dividing each group into two groups until you can no longer find major differences between the shells in your groups. Once a group is complete, set it aside. |
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Inquiry question: What are the common characteristics you used to identify each group? Could these shells be related to each other? |
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On each shell's mount, you will find its name and where it is found. Using the world map on the easel, match the color on the label with the region of the world where the animals live. |
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Inquiry question: Do the shells in each group all come from the same place, or do they come from different areas of the world? What differences do you see between shells from northern oceans and those from tropical waters? What might cause these differences? |
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February 24, 2004
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