Salmon Lesson Plans

In this lesson 3rd graders discuss salmon and their life cycle.  In this salmon life cycle lesson, 3rd graders recognize the difficulties researching the life cycle of salmon as they migrate.  In this lesson 3rd graders conduct an experiment and create a game.

In this lesson learners role-play a meeting of the Elwha River council in which they present opposing views to council members on hydroelectric power and salmon fisheries resources. They brainstorm possible conflicts between various people in land-use issues then watch a video on land use in the Sipsey Wilderness area and read about the Elwha river to compile their presentations.

Students list the salmon life cycle stages in order. They draw a stream with the vegetation, animals, and water quality parameters that are necessary for salmon survival. Students explain the connection between animal morphology and their habitats.

Students examine the journey of the Pacific salmon. In this salmon species lesson, students review the stages of the salmon lifecycle and conduct an experiment to determine how the water and habitat changes during each stage. 

Students go on a salmon scavenger hunt to find out about threats to salmon populations. They gather information about some of the reasons wild salmon have gone from such incredible abundance to relative scarcity, and about some of the things people are doing to help salmon recover. Also, they describe several ways in which human activities impact salmon at various points in their life cycle.

Students identify how salmon contribute to the Washington State ecosystem. In this life sciences lesson, students research salmon as natural resources and connections to the native people. Students present lessons to younger students.

Learners research the various aspects of transgenic salmon. In stakeholder groups, they create posters intended to sway voters for or against the creation of transgenic salmon. They also write an individual position paper on the subject.

Students explore the ecosystem and food chain by researching Pacific Salmon. In this fish habitat lesson, students discover the life cycle for salmon, where they spawn and what they eat to survive the harsh elements. Students participate in a salmon board game activity utilizing question cards, magnets and dice.

Students explore oceanography by researching migrating fish. In this Pacific Salmon lesson, students participate in a board game activity in which they move a salmon through their annual journey to the spawning habitat upstream. Students complete a stream micro-habitat worksheet in class after researching the salmon migration further.

Learners investigate the affect of non-native species on Pacific Salmon. In this non-native species and Pacific Salmon lesson, learners participate in a competition and habitat loss game. They play the game in groups, while answering questions on an associated worksheet and participating in a class discussion.