Activity Overview
In the story, Amos is surprised that Boris, a whale, is considered a mammal. He even asks, “Are you sure you’re a mammal? You smell more like a fish.” A great way to incorporate science into this reading lesson is by having students research the differences between marine mammals and fish. Students will find out what characteristics a marine mammal has and how they are different from the characteristics of a fish.
First, as a whole class, brainstorm a list of everything you know about marine mammals and everything you know about fish. Then, to compile more evidence, students should work in partners or small groups. You could designate a particular topic to each group. For example, one group could focus on marine mammals and how they breathe. Another group could work on fish and how they breathe. After, the two groups could compare their findings.
The example storyboard is specifically about the differences between whales and fish, but you could create a broader category and add all types of marine mammals.
Whales |
Fish |
|---|---|
| Whales are warm-blooded. They stay warm by layers of insulated blubber. | Fish are cold-blooded. Their bodies can naturally adjust to the changes of the temperature. |
| Whales breathe air like land mammals. They have a blowhole connected to their lungs to allow them to breathe in the air. | Fish have gills to breathe. The gills take oxygen from the water so fish can live underwater their whole lives. |
| Whales give birth to live young. They also produce milk to feed their newborns. Whales nurture their young to make sure they grow up healthy and able to survive on their own. | Fish lay eggs. Baby fish are fed nutrients through a sack that they carry around. Typically baby fish are left to fend for themselves. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that compares marine mammals with fish.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Pick a marine mammal and research characteristics of the animal.
- Research or brainstorm characteristics of fish.
- Lay out your findings in the storyboard, with a column for your marine mammal and a column for fish.
- Illustrate each cell with Storyboard That art, or use the photos from Photos for Class!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
Activity Overview
In the story, Amos is surprised that Boris, a whale, is considered a mammal. He even asks, “Are you sure you’re a mammal? You smell more like a fish.” A great way to incorporate science into this reading lesson is by having students research the differences between marine mammals and fish. Students will find out what characteristics a marine mammal has and how they are different from the characteristics of a fish.
First, as a whole class, brainstorm a list of everything you know about marine mammals and everything you know about fish. Then, to compile more evidence, students should work in partners or small groups. You could designate a particular topic to each group. For example, one group could focus on marine mammals and how they breathe. Another group could work on fish and how they breathe. After, the two groups could compare their findings.
The example storyboard is specifically about the differences between whales and fish, but you could create a broader category and add all types of marine mammals.
Whales |
Fish |
|---|---|
| Whales are warm-blooded. They stay warm by layers of insulated blubber. | Fish are cold-blooded. Their bodies can naturally adjust to the changes of the temperature. |
| Whales breathe air like land mammals. They have a blowhole connected to their lungs to allow them to breathe in the air. | Fish have gills to breathe. The gills take oxygen from the water so fish can live underwater their whole lives. |
| Whales give birth to live young. They also produce milk to feed their newborns. Whales nurture their young to make sure they grow up healthy and able to survive on their own. | Fish lay eggs. Baby fish are fed nutrients through a sack that they carry around. Typically baby fish are left to fend for themselves. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that compares marine mammals with fish.
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Pick a marine mammal and research characteristics of the animal.
- Research or brainstorm characteristics of fish.
- Lay out your findings in the storyboard, with a column for your marine mammal and a column for fish.
- Illustrate each cell with Storyboard That art, or use the photos from Photos for Class!
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comparison Analysis | Text and images include a clear explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics. These comparisons go beyond superficial elements and show strong understanding. | Text and images include an explanation of similarities and/or differences between the categories or topics, but the explanation may lack clarity or show only superficial understanding in some squares. | Text and images may include no explanation of similarities and/or differences, or they may make only superficial or inaccurate comparisons. |
| Storyboard Image and Effort | Student clearly shows effort to convey the setting, characters and specific scene of the book. The scene is clearly identifiable based on the graphic depiction. | Student attempts to convey the setting, characters, and specific scene through use of graphics, but the depiction may be confusing, disordered, or lack some detail. | Student does not clearly convey the setting, characters, and scene. |
| Spelling and Grammar | Student uses exemplary spelling and grammar. There are no errors. | Student makes one or two minor errors in spelling and grammar. | Student makes multiple errors in spelling and grammar. |
How Tos about Marine Mammals and Fish Comparison
Engage Students with an Interactive Marine Mammals vs. Fish Sorting Activity
Capture students’ attention by starting with a hands-on sorting game. Give each student a set of picture cards showing different marine mammals and fish. Ask them to sort the cards into two groups, explaining their reasoning as they go. This fun activity sparks curiosity and helps students use their prior knowledge before diving into deeper research.
Guide Research with Focused Question Prompts
Support student inquiry by providing specific questions for their research. Examples include: How do marine mammals move and breathe? How do fish care for their young? Focused prompts keep students on track and help them gather relevant information for their comparisons.
Facilitate Peer Teaching with Small Group Presentations
Encourage collaboration by having small groups share their findings with the class. Each group presents a key difference between marine mammals and fish, using visuals or their storyboard. This approach builds confidence, reinforces understanding, and allows students to learn from one another.
Incorporate Movement with a True or False Walk
Get students moving by reading statements aloud (e.g., “All marine mammals have gills”). If the statement is true, students move to one side of the room; if false, they move to the other. This energetic review reinforces key concepts and keeps engagement high.
Wrap Up with a Creative Reflection Activity
Encourage synthesis by having students write or draw one thing that surprised them about marine mammals or fish. Display their reflections on a classroom bulletin board to celebrate learning and spark ongoing discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Marine Mammals and Fish Comparison
What are the main differences between marine mammals and fish?
Marine mammals are warm-blooded, breathe air with lungs, give live birth, and nurse their young. Fish are cold-blooded, use gills to breathe underwater, lay eggs, and usually do not care for their young after birth.
How do whales breathe compared to fish?
Whales breathe air through a blowhole connected to their lungs and must surface regularly. Fish extract oxygen from water using gills, allowing them to stay underwater their whole lives.
Why are whales considered mammals and not fish?
Whales are mammals because they are warm-blooded, have lungs, give birth to live young, and produce milk for their babies—traits not found in fish.
What is a simple classroom activity to help students compare marine mammals and fish?
Create a storyboard or comparison chart where students list characteristics of a chosen marine mammal and a fish side by side, then illustrate differences with drawings or photos.
How do the young of marine mammals and fish differ in care after birth?
Marine mammal babies are nursed and cared for by their mothers, while baby fish are usually left to survive on their own after hatching from eggs.
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