Montessori Materials for Parts of the Jellyfish Activity

Once the child has learned about the different types of invertebrates, particularly the Cnidarians, they might be interested in learning about the parts of the jellyfish.

Jellyfish have existed for millions of years, even predating the dinosaurs, but they haven’t evolved much. They don’t have a brain, heart, bones, or eyes. 95% of their body is made up of water.

Before learning about their parts, have the child observe an actual jellyfish (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 Jellyfish
- Jellyfish Lamp
- Jellyfish Model
Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Jellyfish
Explore Other Parts of Invertebrates
Explore Other Parts of Vertebrates

Materials to Support Learning the Parts of the Jellyfish

Jellyfish Lamp

With synthetic jellyfishes inside, this simulates how jellyfishes move.

Jellyfish Model

You can use the jellyfish object from this set:

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

Printable Activities to Learn the Parts of the Jellyfish

1. Montessori Zoology 5-Part Nomenclature Cards

The Parts of a Jellyfish Activity helps children know how jellyfish catch food, how they swim by contracting their muscles and shoot water from their bell. They have stinging cells (nematocysts) on their tentacles that stun prey, which they then lift to their mouth.

This learning material have a pink border around each card. Color coding is used to tell apart the different phyla of the Animal Kingdom in Montessori. The color pink is used to identify the phylum of cnidarians, such as the jellyfish.

This includes a set of cards with 5 parts including the definitions and a booklet with descriptions about each part of the jellyfish. This is designed for children between the ages of 3 and 6.

Material

Each part of the jellyfish 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 jellyfish (or a model), if possible (See above)
– Child should make observations for a week of each part of the jellyfish

Control of Error

– Control Cards

Direct Aims

– learn about the different parts of the jellyfish
– 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 jellyfish, 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 jellyfish, display the wall chart and invite the child to make her own wall chart of the parts of the sponge with these printable poster sheets of 3 different charts:

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

jellyfish montessori zoology invertebrates parts of the jellyfish 5 part cards mindsprout

*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!