Creature Feature: The Mighty Megalodon Shark

Calling all shark fans! If you like sharks, this is the class for you! If you are scared of sharks and blood, this is not the best class for you. 

We will start class by looking at a megalodon shark and asking learners what they know about megalodons and what they want to learn about megalodons. 

Learners can explore where they lived, what they ate, how big and strong they were, and why they went extinct. They will see pictures or fossils and scientist recreated images of their jaws and body. Learners will be encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts and ideas.  Learners can draw a megalodon, color the coloring sheet provided, or build a megalodon out of Play Dough or Building Bricks

After we talk about the megalodon, it is time for a fun science experiment: Why Do Sharks Float? We will test sharks ability to float by using 2 bags, one filled with water and one filled with oil. We will lower the bags into a tub of water and see what they do. Then we will discuss what we learned. If learners want to do the science experiment, they need to come to class with a plastic tub or bucket 3/4 filled with water, 2 shark cut outs from card stock or a file folder (in the provided materials), 2 strong plastic bags: 1 filled 2/3 with water, and 1 filled 2/3 with oil. You can put the shark cut out in the bag and seal it with duct tape ahead of time! Learners are welcome to do the experiment or just observe and share their thinking. 

If time allows, we will play a megalodon fact game. Learners can pick a number between 1-10 and learn a fun fact about the megalodon.