1. Pagoo; Chapter 1 – Pagoo Might Be A Hermit Crab

Students are introduced to Pagoo, the hermit crab, as they read Chapter 1 of Pagoo, the award winning juvenile book. Ideas are included for creation of a Pagoo Field Guide, with additional information provided as students move through the chapters.

   2. Getting to Know Plankton

Classifying plankton pictures, constructing a plankton net for collection, and observing plankton samples introduce students to the world of plankton.

   3. Design and Construct a Plankter

After careful observation of plankton shapes, students construct a plankter that will sink most slowly using a variety of materials.

Unit 2: Tides

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 2 – Shifting Tides and Changing Hides

Students read Chapter 2 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Time and Tides

Three activities, “Observing Tidal Changes”, “Tide Tables” and “Comparing Tide Curves”, help students gain familiarity with tidal changes.

   3. Tide Pools in the Classroom

Construction of a life-sized, rocky shore tide pool, using papier-mâché, provides a “home” for the tide pool creatures constructed in subsequent activities.

Unit 3: Crusty Crustaceans

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 3 – Pagoo Is A Hermit Crab!

Students read Chapter 3 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Observing Crustaceans

Observation of a living crab (or other crustacean, such as crayfish or lobsters) helps students learn about the structural and behavioral adaptations of crustaceans.

   3. Who’s Got the Key?

The concept of identification keys is introduced through practice in using keys and through construction of a simple key.

   4. Crustacean Key

Students follow a greatly simplified key that focuses on crabs.

Unit 4: Food Chains and Webs

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 4 – At The Ringside

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 4 of Pagoo.

   2. Sea Feasts

An informational reading on food chains, webs and pyramids.

   3. As the Plankton Bloom

Fertilizer is added to two aquarium tanks with fresh or sea water. Daily observations include water temperature, turbidity, and general appearance.

   4. When the Oxygen is Gone

Students investigate the responses of fish to exposure to low oxygen levels.

Unit 5: Tide Pool Adaptations

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 5 – A Ride and a Fall Far, Far From Home

Students read Chapter 5 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Staying Wet

After investigation of the adaptations of intertidal animals to keep from drying out, students develop their own strategy for keeping a wet sponge from drying out.

   3. Wave Withstanders

Students adapt a “sponge” creature to withstand the force of a wave.

   4. Papier-mâché Tide Pool Creatures

Instructions are provided for the construction of papier-mâché tide pool creatures to inhabit the tide pool constructed in Unit 2.

Unit 6: Barnacles

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 6 – A Starfish, and a Few Barnacles

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 6 of Pagoo.

   2. Barnacle Beats

Students observe live barnacles, including their feeding behavior. An experiment is conducted to explore the relationship of temperature and movement.

   3. Origami Barnacles

Instructions for the creation of an origami barnacle are provided as students continue to populate the tide pool constructed in Unit 2.

   4. Not Just Your Ordinary Research Reports

A variety of traditional and novel ideas for creative student research reports are included to help students practice effective communication.

Unit 7: Zonation

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 7 – Room and Board, Travel Included

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 7 of Pagoo.

   2. Creating Picture Words and Poems

Students create picture words and poems. Student examples are included.

   3. Creating a Rocky Shore

A paper model of a piling or rocky shore and its inhabitants are created as students examine zonation of animals in response to tidal changes.

Unit 8: Snails

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 8 – Around Snail Cousins’ Rock

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 8 of Pagoo.

   2. Snail Tracker

Students observe and track the movement of snails in an aquarium using measurement skills.

Unit 9: Tide Pool Fish

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 9 – In, Out, Up With Traveling Towers

Students read Chapter 9 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Fish Forms

An informational reading to help students “read” fish clues. These clues can provide information about a fish’s habitat.

   3. Gyotaku – Japanese Fish Printing

Fish printing provides a hands-on opportunity for students to learn about fish anatomy.

   4. Camouflaging Fish Cookies

Students discuss body characteristics that make fish camouflaged in their habitats and then develop protective camouflage for a fish cookie.

   5. Sculpting Sculpins

Students create sculpins using a wire frame covered with papier-mâché.

   6. Weave a Fish

Students use construction paper and wrapping paper to weave a fish.

Unit 10: Sea Urchins

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 10 – Houses Are Scarce in Tide-Pool Town

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 10 of Pagoo.

   2. Constructing Sea Urchins

Construction ideas for sea urchin models using marshmallows or a Styrofoam ball are provided as students continue to populate the tide pool constructed in Unit 2.

   3. Name That Tune

Students write a song using a familiar single tune using water-related words and themes.

Unit 11: Tube Snails

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 11 – A Concrete Tile Can Crawl Both Ways

Students read Chapter 11 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

Unit 12: Chitons and Cucumbers

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 12 – Hermit House From An Ancient Jungle

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 12 of Pagoo.

   2. Marinated Riddles and Rhymes

Marine science concepts are reinforced as students create rhyming riddles and fractured nursery rhymes.

Unit 13: Sea Anemones

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 13 – The Grotto of Eating Trees

Students read Chapter 13 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Make an Anemone

Instructions for construction of a sea anemone using construction paper and a cardboard tube are provided as students continue to populate the tide pool constructed in Unit 2.

Unit 14: Crabs

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 14 – Among the Crabs, A Shy Masked Lady

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 14 of Pagoo.

   2. Inflatable Tide Pool

An inflatable tide pool into which students can crawl is constructed from clear plastic sheeting. Paintings and creatures suspended inside complete the habitat.

   3. Make a Decorator Crab

Using small squares of tissue paper dipped into a glue mixture and formed into small balls, students fill the shape of a decorator crab.

Unit 15: If The Shell Fits

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 15 – Pagoo Takes a Shell- Keeps It, Too

Students read Chapter 15 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

Unit 16: Salinity Counts

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 16 – Death Trap!

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 16 of Pagoo.

   2. Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Students attempt to float an egg in both fresh and salt water.

Unit 17: On the Beach

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 17 – A Fright, A Frolic, and a Farewell

Students read Chapter 17 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. There’s No Place Like Home

Safety issues are addressed and conservation practices are stressed in this important prelude to any trip to the tide pools.

   3. It’s All Happening At the Beach

Guidelines for a class trip to the beach are presented along with a collection of interdisciplinary activities that have been successful with groups of students.

   4. No Ordinary Sandy Beach

Students examine sand samples from assorted beaches and use the observable characteristics they note to draw inferences about the origin of the sand samples.

Unit 18: What Lurks in the Depths?

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 18 – Down to the Depths of Deep Hole

Students continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read Chapter 18 of Pagoo.

Unit 19: Octopus

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 19 – Can This Be the End of Pagoo?

Students read Chapter 19 of Pagoo as they continue work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide.

   2. Octopus Escape

Balloon octopuses are constructed and propelled on a room length string in response to a challenge to create an octopus that can travel the fastest and farthest.

   3. Octopus Marionette

Directions are provided to construct an octopus marionette puppet.

   4. Marinated Language Murals

Students brainstorm a list of “marinated” words and concepts, then create a mural to teach others about the concept, issue or habitat.

Unit 20: The Cycle Continues

   1. Pagoo; Chapter 20 – Endless Rhythm of an Old, Old Sea

Students complete work on creation of a Pagoo Field Guide as they read the final chapter, Chapter 20, of Pagoo.

   2. Octo-Puzzle

Each student receives a piece of an octopus pattern which is to be scaled up and redrawn on a larger sheet of paper. When all of the individual redrawn pieces are put together, a giant Pacific Octopus appears!

Production Credits

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Below, you’ll find helpful resources for use with the above activities.

Unit 1: Plenty of Plankton

Activity 1 Pagoo; Chapter 1 Pagoo Might Be A Hermit Crab

Pagoo Principal Characters Chapters 1-6

Pagoo Principal Characters Chapters 8-12

Pagoo Principal Characters Chapters 13-18

How to find marine information

Activity 2 Getting to Know Plankton

Plankton identification sheet

Freshwater plankton identification sheet

Activity 3 Design and Construct a Plankter

Root words

Unit 2: Tides

Activity 2 Time and Tides

Tide time activity sheets

Unit 3: Crusty Crustaceans

Activity 1 Pagoo; Chapter 3 Pagoo Is A Hermit Crab!

Hermit crab image

Unit 5: Tide Pool Adaptations

Activity 4 Papier Maché Tide Pool Creatures

Sample papier maché sea creatures

Unit 6: Barnacles

Activity 1 Pagoo; Chapter 6 A Starfish, and a Few Barnacles

Starfish images

Unit 9: Tide Pool Fish

Activity 3 Gyotaku – Japanese Fish Printing

Preparing and painting a fish

Unit 10: Sea Urchins

Activity 2 Constructing Sea Urchins

Sea urchin images

Unit 13: Sea Anemones

Activity 2 Make an Anemone

Sea anemone colony image

Green sea anemone image

Unit 14: Crabs

Activity 1 Pagoo; Chapter 14 Among the Crabs, A Shy Masked Lady

Tissue paper sea creatures

Tidepool images

Unit 20: The Cycle Continues

Activity 2 Octo-Puzzle

Octopus scale template

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