Animal Behavior: "Groggy Goldfish"
              
Pearlie M. Hayes               Henry Clay Elementary 
                               13231 S. Burley
                               Chicago IL 60633
                               312-535-5600

Objective:

To observe the behavior of goldfish in water of varying temperatures.       
    
Materials:

Goldfish (4)                       Thermometers (4)
Fish Tank                          Ice (large bag)
Plastic Containers (4)             Timer or Wall Clock

Strategy:

1. Begin the lesson with a review of the definition of hibernation and cold and 
warm-blooded animals.
2. In groups of 4's, give each group one goldfish in a plastic container with 
room temperature water from fish tank, one thermometer, crushed ice and a chart.
3. Give each person in the group a job.  (a timer, a counter, a reader, or a
recorder)
4. Begin the investigation by taking the temperature reading and water operculum 
count of the control goldfish (20 seconds).  Put findings on blackboard. 
5. In group, take reading of the water temperature and a 20 second operculum 
count.  Record on chart.  (Remember to multiply by 3 to equal a minute). 
6. Add a small amount of ice, wait 3 minutes, and take temperature of water and
a 20 second operculum count.  Observe and record.
7. Add another small amount of ice (use the same amount as used in step 6 
above), wait 3 minutes and record the temperature.  Take a 20 second operculum 
count and record on chart.  Observe. 
8. Continue adding ice in small amounts, recording temperature every 3 minutes
until operculum is 0.  Observe.
9. When operculum count hits zero, place goldfish in a warmer place and observe 
reaction.  Remove any remaining ice and add some room temperature water. 
Observe.

Performance Assessment:

Students should be able to take accurate readings of the temperature of water.  
After a discussion of hibernation, students will predict what will happen to the 
operculum counts when the temperature of water is lowered.  Throughout the 
investigation students will communicate, observe, measure, interpret, and record 
data correctly.  Students will also write a brief description of what was 
observed during the investigation. 

Multicultural Aspect:  

Many kinds of fish live all over the world.  They live in all climates on land 
and at all levels of the ocean.  These fish develop bodies and ways of life that 
suit their particular region.  People of all cultures use, observe, and enjoy 
many kinds of fish.