Fluke+Finder

Title: Fluke Finder Grade Level: 5 Setting: Classroom divided into 5 groups of 4 to 5 students Pre- or Post-visit: Activity may be done either before or after visit. Time Needed: One class period, including one or two of the Extension Activities Learning Objectives/Goals:** Hands-on compare/contrast science activity, group cooperation, communication, accurate observation Relevant Standards: Prior Knowledge Needed: Understanding that each humpback whale has 14 sectors on his/her flukes and there will be unique, individual black and white markings within each one of those Materials Needed: Five 8" x 11" colored and laminated fluke pictures, five packets of 5 colored and laminated catalog pages with approximately postage stamp sized pictures - and numbers - of individual fluke patterns (example: 021679), paper, pencils, and hand lenses Assessment Ideas**:** Teacher observation and use of clipboard with categories such as: cooperation, active participation, accuracy, group consensus, and recording results. Extension Ideas**:** 1. Research humpback whales' flukes on whale.wheelock.edu/whalenet-stuff/humpcat.html and in books. 2. Watch a video about humpback whales' fluke patterns. 3. Discuss how boat collisions, fighting, etc. may cause scars on whales' bodies and affect the fluke patterns. 4. Students can make their own fingerprints - press finger or thumb in ink on paper. Discuss how these are as unique and individual as a humpback whale's flukes. Resources: See #1 in this section.
 * Author(s):** Sally Connolly
 * Focus Concept/Skill:** Identify 5 real humpback whales' individual fluke patterns by using a catalog of real whales and their i.d. numbers
 * Essential Question(s): What is the catalog number of each of the 5 humpback whales' fluke patterns?
 * Activity Description:** Students will work within their groups identifying one 8" x 11" humpback whale's fluke pattern by looking closely at the catalog patterns and numbers, comparing and contrasting, and then writing the correct catalog number on paper. Each group, upon completing their identifications, will swap fluke pictures and continue the process until all 5 have been identified. Volunteers from each group will share their results with the class, and will hear a resounding agreement or disagreement from peers.
 * **Abstract: Overview: It is important for students to be able to effectively communicate their ideas and support them with evidence. This hands-on activity uses information previously studied by students which they will implement by getting "up close and personal" with real individual humpback whales' fluke patterns and identifying them by using catalog pages of hundreds of fluke patterns.**
 * **Procedure**:
 * 1. As a class, review what the rear part of a whale's body is called and tell how many sectors are in a humpback whale's tail.
 * 2. As a class, tell how individual humpback whales are identified, where this information is posted, and WHY.
 * 3. A laminated, colored 8" x 11" picture of a humpback's fluke will be given to each of the 5 groups, along with 5 catalog pages of fluke patterns and numbers and hand lenses.
 * 4. Students will work cooperatively, within their groups, comparing and contrasting fluke patterns until they agree on the correct catalog picture and number for each of the five 8" x 11" photos.
 * 5. Students will share their results.