Activity

Build fins and wings

Summary
Attach fin and wing shapes to a modelling clay body, to build fish and birds.
Science content
Biology: Features, Adaptations of Living Things (K, 1, 3, 7)
Materials
  • cardboard pieces cut out in fin and wing shapes, with a pin taped to them
  • modelling clay
  • pictures of fish and birds with differently shaped and positioned fins and wings
Procedure

Distribute a small piece of modelling clay to each student. Tell them that this is the body of the animal they will be building.
Ask students to shape the body, then add the fins and wings, to make a fish or a bird. They can copy the fin and wing locations of animals in pictures, or make up their own animal.
Fins and wings are often similar shapes, so many of the pieces can be used as fins or wings.
Encourage students to pair the wings or fins, as they are on real animals, and to angle them correctly to make their model look more real. Students will also enjoy making their own fantastic animal creations with assemblies of fins and wings.

Grades taught
Gr K
Gr 1
Gr 2