Ice Fishing Extra

As we count down the days to our ice fishing extravaganza, let's use all of the facts that have been gathered to create an imaginative story. Using the following story starter, motivate your student/child to develop a story using some, or all, of the previous lessons' vocabulary: liquid, solid, gas, water, ice, vapor, turnover, fish, ice fishing, ice thickness, habitat, food, food chain, shelter, space, structure, oxygen, conservation of energy, ecosystem, temperature, tracks, snow, winter, and fallen tree. (What an accomplishment it would be to incorporate all of the vocabulary!)

Story Starter
Peer down this ice fishing hole and imagine you are a fish under the ice. Explain what you feel, see, smell, taste, and hear. Vividly describe everything around you so those reading, or listening to, or watching your story get a clear picture of what life is like under the ice.

Example: This morning feels a little colder than usual, the temperature must have fallen. I think I'll move rather slowly today to conserve my energy. Fortunately, there's some food near this structure, which I think is a fallen tree, so I don't have to venture out into the lake to nab those smaller fish lower on the food chain. Guess those lucky little fish can suck oxygen out of the water for a few more days, unless caught this weekend during the ice fishing derby. (I think you get the idea!)

Storytelling Variations
This story starter can work for all ages, just vary the expected outcome as you see fit. Here are some ideas:
1. Have your student/child write the story as a narravite.
2. Have him/her write a script (maybe 2 fish are having a conversation).
3. Have your student/child tell you the story.
4. Have your him/her demonstrate the story (body movement/acting is always fun).

Guide your student/child as much or as little as you want depending on his/her ability level. This is something you could enjoy doing together as opposed to having your student/child work independently.
Just remember, any use of imagination and creativity is an accomp"fish"ment!