I had an interesting guest speaker from the Department of Aquatic Resources come visit my middle school classes before doing the Activity Questions. He had a colorful slide show about fish around Hawaii. I also included a DVD about Hanuama Bay which tied into our Earth Science island geology curriculum. We spent about 1 1/2 classes prepping for the TSI Lesson. I purchased about 10 extra fish from Tamashiro's market. We found that the acrylic paint was a bit too thick for the details on the Gyotaku print that we wanted to identify so we thinned it with water. We used metal dissecting trays (which were lined with 2" solid wax) so that the fish were stable and didn't slide around too much. I found that many of my students were more comfortable using gloves when handling the somewhat smelly fish. We hung the "artfully scientific", muslin fish prints on clothes lines along the windows and when the trade winds blow through the classroom they look like Buddhist prayer flags! Very beautiful. Great activity.
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 18:24
You can just tell the workers that you are a teacher doing a school project and don't need 'food grade' fish. They always have some damaged ones and you tell them how much you have to spend--they are really helpful! The fish are still just fish... meaning that they last according to how they are handled. Keep them refrigerated in between classes and handle them carefully. My labs are done on Tuesday's so I froze a few, but the fresh ones ended up being the best specimens for Gyotaku. I did some with India ink which were awesome! But the acrylic ones were very nice too.
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 07:47
Were some students adverse to doing this? Did it get messy?? I would love to do this if it fit into our curriculum- but were in space now and this has nothing to do with it =(
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 18:06
Yes, some students were adverse and I told them it was not required that they participate-- but you know middle schoolers?? Peer pressure got the best of them and they all tried it! Yes, it got messy. Really messy. Not in the classroom tables as anticipated but on the students shirts, pants, hair, faces, etc. Wait, what no fish in space--hmmmmm sure about that?
Tue, 03/05/2013 - 11:10
Thats a great idea for the guest speaking and thanks for sharing your modifications with the paint and using trays and wax paper. Also thanks for the location for where to buy fish will definitely try this place next year.
Thu, 03/07/2013 - 18:10
Clarification: The dissecting trays are actually filled with solid wax (different from wax paper) that has a rough surface of silicon chips so that the fish don't slide around. Because they can't wiggle around at all there is a better foundation on which to place various sizes and shapes of fish.
Mon, 03/04/2013 - 21:59
Thanks for the great idea on tying in a guest speaker and where to get fish. How much did the fish cost and what types of fish did you purchase? How long did they last (in relation to the number of students handling the fish)?