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Go Fish - A Proportional Activity

Imagine that you are asked to determine the number of fish in a nearby pond. To count the fish one by one, you could remove the fish from the pond and stack them to one side, or mark each fish so you would not count them over and over again. Counting like this could be hazardous to a fish's health! To determine the number of animals in a population, scientists often use the capture-recapture method. A number of animals are captured, carefully tagged, and returned to their native habitat. Then a second group of animals is captured and counted, and the number of tagged animals is noted. Scientists then use proportions to estimate the number in the entire population. This resource is a great group activity.  It can be an actual STEM activity as it incorporates math and science together to determine a fish population.  Students then create proportions to determine the best estimate of fish in the "pond".  Materials include gold fish crackers, gold fish pretzels, cup, paper plates, brown bags.  Students use nets for fish and then tag them ( change with pretzels) and then do it again.  This is a great proportion activity.  Students also get experience with averaging and taking representative samples.

Weblink address (URL): 
Go Fish - A Proportional Activity

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Applying

Helpful Hints

Materials:
Each group needs:

  • 1 paper lunch sack - represents the "lake"
  • A supply of goldfish crackers - represent the "fish" in the lake
  • A supply of pretzel fish crackers - represent the "tagged fish"
  • 1 styrofoam cup - represents the "net"
  • 1 paper plate

Students can work in groups of either three or four.

References

Contributors: 
Donna Boatwright
Originator: 
Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation