Meet an Aquatic Snail
Grade level(s):Elementary School (K-5), Kindergarten
Subjects(s):Biology/Life Science, FOSS-Related
What are the major structures of aquatic snails
shell, tentacles, foot, aquatic (optional), siphon (optional), operculum (optional)
What you need:
FOSS Animals Two by Two Big Book, 10-20 Aquatic Snails, 10-20 1/2 liter clear plastic containers (a clear plastic cup will also work), 1 piece of chart paper, 20 copies of Aquatic Snail Observation sheet (attached)
Students will begin and end the lesson in a whole group. They will observe independently or in pairs.
In this lesson students will observe aquatic snails, create a realistic drawing of an aquatic snail, and create a class list of questions about aquatic snails. This lesson is alternate or introductory lesson to the FOSS lesson on observing water snails. Students begin and end the lesson as a whole group and observe either independently or in pairs.
- observe a freshwater snail
- communicate observations orally and through a detailed drawing
- describe the major structures of the aquatic snail
In the FOSS Animals Two by Two Teacher's Manual pages 84-87.
Before the day of the lesson:
Purchase fresh water aquatic snails. Aquatic snails can be purchased at many aquarium shops. If you already have an aquarium add them and provide them with elodea (an aquatic plant - also available at most aquarium shops) as a source of food. Your snails will thrive best in de-chlorinated water. In the city of San Francisco, tap water contains both chlorine and chloramines. In order to de-chlorinate tap water, it is best to treat tap water with de-chlorinating tablets (these are also available at aquarium shops)
Make copies of student worksheets (attached)
Decide whether your students will complete a Venn Diagram to compare Land and Water Snails or if they will create an "I Wonder..." chart about Aquatic Snails and make the appropriate chart on chart paper.
On the day of the lesson:
Fill the clear containers 3/4ths full with treated (de-chlorinated) water
Gently scoop 1 snail into each container
Lesson Implementation / Outline
Gather students on the rug and ask if they have ever seen a snail that lives in water? Where? Do you think that is the same type of snail that lives on land? What do you think makes it the same? Different?
Read Aloud the FOSS Animals Two by Two Big Book's section on snails. Discuss. Tell your students that today they will be observing aquatic snails.
Talk briefly about keeping the snails safe. We will not be touching them or taking them out of the water.
Dismiss students to observation seating.
Allow students to freely observe the aquatic snails for about five minutes.
Get their attention and ask students to share some observations. Next, model drawing an aquatic snail on the observation sheet. While you are drawing tell the students the names for the structures they have observed.
Allow students to draw their snail and encourage them to "draw like a scientist" or draw what they really see. They can label drawing and/or write an observation about their snail.
The aquatic snail observation sheet will be your assessment for this lesson.
Option 1--"I Wonder.."
Illict questions from students about things they are wondering or would like to learn about aquatic snails.
Option 2--Venn Diagram
Compare land snails and aquatic snails. What do they have in common? What things do they not share?
Extensions and Reflections
This lesson works well with "Meet a Land Snail" and "Create an Aquarium." The aquatic snails can be added to the aquarium and will help to complete an ecosystem with Goldfish or Guppies, tubifex worms, and elodea.