Montessori Materials for Parts of the Fish Activity

Once the child has learned about the classes of vertebrates, particularly the Fishes, they might be interested in learning about the parts of the fish.

The fishes are cold-blooded animals that live in both salt and fresh water.

Before learning about their parts, have the child observe an actual fish or a model to help them have a more concrete grasp on the subject.

Table of Contents

Materials to Support Learning the Parts of the Fish
- Fish Puzzle
- Fish Model
Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Fish
Explore Other Parts of Vertebrates

Materials to Support Learning the Parts of the Fish

Fish Puzzle

Includes knobs for easier holding and parts involving different parts of the animal, which helps isolate the part from the whole.

Fish Model

With enough detail, this is great for observing the different parts of the fish, with variety of common species. Size is not too small and perfect for little hands.

You can also provide printable materials to support this learning and help the child know the different parts of the fish.

Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Fish

1. Montessori Zoology 5-Part Nomenclature Cards

The Parts of a Fish Activity helps kids learn about their parts that help them swim, protect them, make them see and smell, and more.

This learning material have a light green border around each card and include a set of cards with 5 parts including the definitions and a booklet with descriptions about each part of the fish. This is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 6.

Material

Each part of the fish has a set of 5 cards made up of:
1. Control card – contains the picture and label; it allows the child to SELF-CORRECT when matching the picture card and the label card.
2. Picture card – allows the child to focus on the image alone to examine the details better. It can also be matched to the control card for non-reading learners to help them engage in learning each of the cards individually.
3. Label card – aids in name identifying, reading, spelling, and writing. It is matched to the picture card and the child determines correctness using the control card.
4. Definition card – serves as the control card for matching the blank definition card with the label card.
5. Blank definition card – provides an engaging activity for the child to better remember the definitions. This is matched to the label card and the control card with image and label.

Prerequisite

– Some experience with an actual fish (or a model), if possible (See above)
– Child should make observations for a week of each part of the fish: torso, head, tail, dorsal fin, gill covers, anal fin, pelvic fin, pectoral fin, lateral line, eyes, mouth, nostril, scales
– Life cycle of the fish

Control of Error

– Control Cards

Direct Aims

– learn about the different parts of the fish
– develop their understanding of the definition of these parts

Indirect Aims

– Improve child’s vocabulary
– Develop reading skills
– Learn the basics of zoology

Presentation

The Montessori guide teaches children how to use Zoology Nomenclature Cards through two presentations

– First, the guide lays out the control cards and demonstrates how to match the picture and label to the control.
– Next, the student matches the pictures and labels, and checks their work with the control of error cards.
– Use the definition card to describe each part.
– Once the children are familiar with the definitions of the parts of the fish, give them the corresponding definitions to match with the pictures.
– Then allow the child to match the blank definition card with the label card.

Zoology Nomenclature Cards are unique to Montessori classrooms and provide an engaging alternative to textbooks and worksheets. They are a beautiful resource that encourages children to learn concepts, rather than rush through to “finish” a worksheet.

Get the Cards & BOOKleTs here

2. Control Chart and Fill-in Posters

After learning the individual parts of the fish, display the wall chart and invite the child to make her own wall chart of the parts of the fish with these printable poster sheets of 3 different charts:

With color and label
Without color, with label
Without color, without label

montessori zoology fish anatomy control chart parts of the fish vertebrates

*Sign-up to our newsletter and get the control charts for free! Or get these in a bundle with other vertebrates control charts HERE at $2/set!