the curiosity files · this published work may contain facts, views, opinions, statements,...

www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com2The Curiosity Files: The Puffer Fish

© 2010 The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC P.O. Box 8426, Gray, TN 37615 Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved

Project Manager: Heidi Strawserresearch assistants: Heather Schwarzen, April Elstrom, Stephanie Ruby,Regenia Spoerndle, Denise Opper, Brenda Emmett, Michelle Smith, Renee Walker, Ginny Donahue, Laura O’Neill, Laura Clark, Lori Lynn Lydell, Kimberly Leui Kovach, Wendy Hilton, and Natalie Browneditor: Karen Sargent, http://bensrib.blogspot.comcover LaYoUt: Jodie McCaffreycover iLLUstrator: Kim Sponaugle, www.picturekitchenstudio.comcoPYwork design: Virginia Donahue, www.homeschoolblogger.com/proverbsfamilycoPYwork Font: Downhill PublishinggraPhic designer: Molly Brew

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptural references contained in this E-Book are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This published work may contain facts, views, opinions, statements, recommendations, hyperlinks, references, Web sites, advertisements, and other content and links or references to external sources (collectively, “Content”) not owned or controlled by the publisher, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC (“TOS”). This Content does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or recommendations of TOS, and any reliance upon such Content is taken at the user’s sole risk. TOS and the individual contributors have made reasonable efforts to include accurate, current, “family-friendly” Content, but TOS makes no warranties or representations as to the accuracy, safety, or value of Content contained, published, displayed, uploaded, downloaded, or distributed through or as part of this publication and assumes no liability or responsibility for the content of linked or referenced sources or for errors or omissions in Content. Users are advised that online content and the user’s experience may change during use or over time and are strongly advised to use discernment and wisdom when considering advice and recommendations made in this or any other published work. TOS accepts no responsibility for the actions of third parties or for Content provided, uploaded, linked, or posted by third parties.

Note to Parents: Remember that Internet site content can change overnight. Please check the sites that you plan to use before your child visits them in the study. Some of the videos in this study are hosted by YouTube and include Google ads that cannot be completely avoided. These ads can be hidden by clicking on the X in the upper-right corner of the ad banner.

Puffer fish

The CuriosiTy Files:

http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com

http://bensrib.blogspot.com

http://www.picturekitchenstudio.com

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/proverbsfamily

http://www.downhillpublishing.com

http://www.tosmagazine.com/

http://www.tosapps.com/

http://schoolhousereviewcrew.com/

http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/blog/

https://www.facebook.com/theoldschoolhouse/?fref=ts

http://www.tryhomeschooling.com/

http://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/the-homeschool-minute/

http://www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com


Introduction ...........................................................5Everything You Never Wanted to KnowAbout the Puffer Fish .........................................6Let’s See How Much You’ve Learned .......... 13In the Beginning .................................................... 17Figure It Out ..................................................................19 Puffer Fish Ordinal Numbers ................................... 19 Measurement ............................................................................ 21 Multiplication ........................................................................................................22 Elapsed Time .........................................................................................................23 Exchange Rates ....................................................................................................24 Other Puffer Fish Math Ideas .........................................................................27The Write Stuff .........................................................................................................29 The Fisherman and His Wife...........................................................................30 A Sentence-Combining Exercise ...................................................................33Spelling and Vocabulary ........................................................................................35 Elementary Word List .......................................................................................35 Junior High/High School Word List .............................................................36 Spelling Activities (elementary) .....................................................................37 Spelling Activities (middle/high school) .....................................................38 Word Search .........................................................................................................39 Crossword...............................................................................................................40 Just for Fun ...........................................................................................................41 The “Sparkle” Game .....................................................................................41 The Memory Game ........................................................................................41 Hangman ...........................................................................................................41 Jeopardy! ..........................................................................................................41 Timed ABC/Reverse ABC Order ..............................................................41Copywork ....................................................................................................................42

tabLe oF contents



In the Lab ....................................................................................................................52 Puffer Fish Science Fair ....................................................................................52 Make a Puffer Fish Model ...........................................................................52 Puffer Fish Science Fair Display Board .................................................53Good Old Days ...........................................................................................................55 Activity #1 ............................................................................................................56 Activity #2 ............................................................................................................57 Activity #3 ............................................................................................................57 Activity #4 ............................................................................................................57Where in the World? ...............................................................................................58Let’s Get Creative .....................................................................................................60 Spiny Paper Plate Puffer Fish ........................................................................60 Draw a Puffer Fish Step by Step ..................................................................61 Coloring Pages ......................................................................................................62Hands-On Learning ................................................................................................64 ThePuffingPufferFish .....................................................................................64The Curosity Fact Files ...........................................................................................68 Snippet #1: Puffer Fish Fan Book ................................................................70 Snippet #2: Vocabulary Words .....................................................................71Music Mania ................................................................................................................72Read All About It .....................................................................................................73Wanna Learn More? ................................................................................................74Answer Keys ...............................................................................................................75 Let’s See How Much You’ve Learned ...........................................................75 Multiplication ........................................................................................................76 Elapsed Time .........................................................................................................76 Exchange Rates ....................................................................................................76 The Fisherman and His Wife...........................................................................77 Spelling Activities (elementary) .....................................................................80 Spelling Activities (middle/high school) .....................................................81 Word Search .........................................................................................................82 Crossword...............................................................................................................82



Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Professor Ana Lyze.

Some might say that I’m eccentric, but not my great lab “spies.”

My research team and I specialize in the obscure, the abnormal, and bizarre.

We search land and seas for these oddities, and make each one a star.

Outlandish insects, rare diseases, unique gems, and more,

There are things in God’s creation that you’ve never seen before!

Our goal is to educate children about subjects they’d never find otherwise,

To get them thinking creatively and give their minds some exercise.

So we present to you this offering and hope it brings some smiles,

As you read, learn, and research The Curiosity Files.

introdUction

Professor Ana Lyze



Everything You Never Wantedto KnowAbout the Puffer Fish . . .

What’s the big deal about a puffer fish?Isn’t it just a fish that . . . well, puffs?Actually, yes. And no. (Don’t you just love answers like that?) Puffer fish are fish. And they do puff—i.e., inflate their bodies. That’s how they get their name. But in reality, there isn’t just one fish in the ocean that has this spe-cial skill. There are about 120 species of puffer fish—also known as globefish, puffers, balloonfish, blowfish, bubblefish, swellfish, toadfish, fugu, and toad-ies. So to answer your question, no—there isn’t just a single species of fish that goes around displaying its amazing ability to resemble a balloon.

So—how do they do it? While there are many differences between the various species of puffer fish, they all have three things in common: elastic skin, no ribs, and a pleated stom-ach capable of holding nearly a hundred times its normal volume in water.

That’s right—water. Not air.

The name “puffer fish” makes it sound like the fish somehow fills itself with air. But you may have noticed a decided lack of available air in the waters where most fish live! When God gave these amazing creatures this very unique defense mechanism, He designed it so that they could use what was most readily available; and clearly, that’s water! To use its special skill, a puffer

Black-Bloched Porcupine Puffer



fish pumps its stomach full of water. The stom-ach of a puffer fish is made up of folds of tissue. Some of these folds are as large as 3 millimeters wide, and guess what—they hide even more folds, which hide even more folds . . . all the way down to pleats so tiny that you need a microscope to see them! These pleats are important, because they allow the puffer fish’s stomach to expand far larger than it seems possible.

As the stomach inflates with water, other changes have to happen in the puff-er fish’s body to help it take on its balloon-like, spherical shape. The fish’s spine bends into an upside-down U shape. Its organs jostle around due to the squeezing. And its skin—consisting of two layers, one of them also pleated—begins to stretch. Pretty soon the puffer fish barely resembles itself!

Did you say skin? I thought fish had scales!Most do! But again, God knew just what was needed to make this fish’s body perform as He had planned. Scales simply wouldn’t be able to handle the internal pressure and rapid expansion necessary for the puffer fish to in-flate. Instead, what was called for was skin--the same kind of covering He gave you! And just as your skin has

stretched to allow for your growth from a baby to a child (and will continue to stretch to accommodate your adult size) the skin of the puffer fish is capable of stretching like elastic over a rapidly inflating fish.

Another trick to helping the puffer fish appear so round and bouncy when it’s fully inflated is the fact that it has no ribs. Imagine your own body with no ribs. There’d be nothing to protect your lungs and heart from the bumps and bruises of everyday life. That’s a design I’m glad God kept just for creatures like this, aren’t you?

close-up of skin

Yellow-Spotted B

urrfi s

h



God gave these fish another interesting characteristic. Did you notice that I said their stomachs fill with water? That doesn’t seem very good for the digestion of food, does it? God didn’t think so either. So He gave the job of breaking down food to the puffer fish’s intestines. The stomach in these fish is simply a holding tank for food on its way to the intestines . . . and for water, of course!

What a unique fish! You can say that again! The puffer fish has a whole host of amazing abilities that set it apart from other water creatures. For example, puffers have their own swimming style. They use a combination of all their fins—pectoral, dorsal, anal, and caudal—that make them highly maneuverable but comparatively slow. Being sluggish is a sure way to end up as another creature’s dinner when you live in the ocean! Puffing is just one way that these fish defend themselves from predators.

Another protective mechanism is the ability to move their eyes independently. This means that a puffer fish has an amazing range of vision; he could literally be looking ahead and behind at the same time! Many species can also change the color or intensity of their patterns to suit their surroundings, blending in and decreasing the likelihood that a bigger, hungry fish will spy them on the menu.

God wasn’t finished protecting the puffer fish yet, though. Some species of puffer fish have an added layer of protection over their elastic skin. As these fish expand, a layer of spines imbedded in their sides begins to rise, giving the fish the appearance of an engorged porcupine. You can imagine that most predators won’t bother with a spiky, balloon-like supper! But predators who do manage to snag a puffer fish for their dinner will most likely regret it later. Some puffers produce a powerful toxin in their internal organs, making them an unpleasant and possibly deadly meal for any fish that eats one.

White Spotted Puffer



Speaking of eating . . . what do puffer fish eat? Most puffer fish live in the tropical and subtropical parts of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, but some species live in brackish and even fresh water. The colors and patterns of ocean-dwell-ing puffers make it possible for them to blend in with coral, and they prefer to stay near the

bottom of the ocean where they can feed on mollusks and crustaceans. Their scientific name, Tetraodontidae, refers to their four large teeth, which allow them to crush the shells of shrimp, lobsters, crabs, snails, and barnacles. The smaller, freshwater cousins of the puffer fish family dine mainly on invertebrates, such as red worms, and algae.

What kind of predator would be crazy enough to go after a puffer fish, anyhow? Tiger sharks are particularly fond of puffer fish. And so are humans.

Humans? People eat puffer fish? In some cultures, puffer fish are a delicacy.

Called fugu in Japan and bok-uh in Korea, puffer fish is extremely expensive and can only be prepared by licensed chefs who have had extensive training in the preparation of this fish. Remember how we said that a predator who dines on puffer fish might just regret it later thanks to the tox-ins in the fish’s body? Well, humans are just as susceptible to those toxins. As a matter of fact, puffer fish are the second most poison-ous vertebrate in the entire world. Without careful preparation, the delighted customer hoping to feast on rare puffer fish might just end up dead.


www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com10The Curiosity Files: The Puffer Fish www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com10The Curiosity Files: The Puffer Fish

Puffer poisoning usually results from eating incorrectly prepared puffer soup, fugu chiri, or occasionally from raw puffer meat, sashimi fugu. Fugu poisoning will cause numbing of the tongue and lips, dizziness, and vomiting. These are followed by numbness and prickling over the body, rapid heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and muscle paralysis. Death eventually results from suffoca-tion as breathing muscles are paralyzed. Roughly 100 people die each year world-wide from consuming improperly prepared fugu.

Beginning in 1958, Japan began allowing only specially licensed chefs to handle and sell fugu to the public. The process begins with a two or three-year apprenticeship followed by an official test. The three-part test re-quires a written examination, a fish-identi-fication test, the preparation of fugu—fol-lowed by the ultimate test: the would-be chef must eat the results! Approximately 70% make a small mistake in the long and complicated proce-dure of preparing the dish and do not pass. Due to this regulation of the pro-cess, it is generally safe to eat the sliced fugu sold in restaurants or markets in Japan. However, the government there still isn’t taking any chances—fugu is still the only delicacy officially forbidden to the Emperor of Japan, for his own safety.

Many species of fish that humans eat end up on the endangered species list. Has that happened to puffer fish? Several years ago, there was some fear that puffer fish would join the list of other species that were being depleted by being overfished. In response, strict fishing regulations were put in place to protect puffers. Most puff-ers destined for the dinner table are now harvested in the spring during the spawning season. These fish have already laid their eggs to produce the next generation of puffers.

Yellow Spotted Puffer




Efforts to protect puffer fish have taken cre-ative turns as well. Some fishing entrepreneurs have even started farm-raising puffers for fugu in floating cages in the Pacific Ocean! Advances in fugu research and farming have allowed some

farmers to mass produce non-toxic fugu. Scientists studying the farmed fish found that the toxins contained in

the puffer fish’s organs came from eating other animals that had been exposed to toxic bacteria. While the puffers were immune to the poison, the animals and humans that ate the puffer fish themselves were not. Many farmers are now producing ”poison-free” fugu by simply keeping the fish away from toxin-laden bacteria. No one has been poisoned eating this new puffer fish variety!

What an amazing fish! I wish I could see one. Puffer fish are popular attractions in state and regional aquariums that focus on education and conservation. Many of these facilities offer specific programs related to puffer fish to help educate the public about this amazing creature. Check the state listings at http://www.zoo.com/content/zoo-directory-listing to see if there’s an aquarium near by where you can see a puffer fish up close and personal!

Dogface Puffer

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Psalm 33:7


http://www.zoo.com/content/zoo-directory-listing

Another option might be visiting with a friend who is an aquarium enthusiast. Believe it or not, the strange, poisonous puffer fish is actually quite a popular addition to many home aquariums. Despite their aggressive behavior in tanks (they are known for nipping and even killing their “tankmates”), many people find the unusual puffer fish hard to resist. Since there are species of puffers that thrive in both fresh and saltwater, many different varieties are available for purchase in stores that cater to the exotic pet market.

If you do visit someone who owns a puffer fish, be careful not to touch the fish itself. Remember, the toxin in its body can be pres-ent on its skin as well. Also, puffing repeat-edly stresses the fish. Be considerate and observe God’s creation . . . without wearing the little guy out!

I had no idea that puffer fish were so fascinating.Puffer fish are definitely one of God’s most creative efforts, aren’t they? From their design to their amazing abilities, puffer fish are unique creatures that point toward a very inventive God!


Striped Puffer



Let’s See How Much You’ve Learned . . .

1. Puffer fish inflate with: Air Water Carbon dioxide None of the above

2. True / False: Puffer fish have no ribs.

3. What kind of shark especially seems to enjoy eating puffer fish?

______________________________________________________

4. In Japan, puffer fish is known as: Franku Sha-shen Fugu Boku

5. Puffer fish have which of the following (choose all correct answers): Skin Eyes that move independently Air pockets The ability to blend in to their environment

6. What design element makes it possible for the stomach of a puffer fish to expand? ______________________________________________________

7. True / False: The stomach of a puffer fish does not digest its food.



8. Puffer fish live in which of the following bodies of water: Caribbean Sea Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Indian Ocean

9. What kinds of water can puffer fish live in?

______________________________________________________

10. Describe the behavior of puffer fish when in home aquariums.

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

11. Japanese chefs are required to do what before serving fugu? Apprentice under a licensed chef Open a restaurant Sign a liability waiver All of the above

12. Scientists believe that the puffer’s toxins come from what? The chemicals dumped in the oceans A special poison gland Their spines The food that they eat

13. Death by fugu poisoning is ultimately caused by what? The intense spiciness Being dehydrated Paralysis that causes the victim to be unable to breathe Seizures



14. In Japan, who is NOT allowed to eat fugu?

______________________________________________________

15. The puffer fish’s scientific name, Tetraodontidae, refers to what?

______________________________________________________

16. What do many large puffer fish eat? Crabs, lobsters, and shrimp Coral Other puffer fish All of the above

17. The last step of the test required to be an official fugu chef in Japan is what?

______________________________________________________

18. What are some of the other names that puffer fish are known by?

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

19. Some puffer fish have what surprising defense in addition to their ability to puff? They can release ink. They can swim very fast. They glow. They have spines.

20. True / false: Puffer fish are very fast, agile swimmers.



21. Puffer fish have eyes that move independently, as well as the ability to change their skin color and patterns to match their surroundings. What other animals do we know of that can do that? ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

FOR OLDER LEARNERS:

1. Puffer fish have an unusual swimming style that utilizes all four sets of fins. Research the “normal” swimming pattern of fish and compare it to that of the puffers.

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

2. The puffer fish is the second most poisonous vertebrate in the world. What is the first?

______________________________________________________



In the Beginning“. . . we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (I Corinthians 8:1-3)

Scientists believe that puffer fish, also known as blowfish, use their ability to puff up or inflate because they are slow and clumsy swim-mers. The puffer fish uses its highly elastic stomach to quickly ingest large amounts of water (or air if it is out of the water) to become a ball several times its normal size. This makes it ined-ible to most of its predators. Some species of puffer fish even have spines on their skin, which help make them even less appealing to predators.

Since the puffer fish is named and recognized from its reaction to fear, let’s look at what the Bible has to tell us about fear. How should we react to fear?

1. “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)

What does this verse teach us about fear? Who is bigger than all of our fears? Whom should we turn to when we are afraid? Should we try to hide from our fears like the puffer fish or face them with strength? How do we manage that?

2. “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

What do these verses teach us when helping others who are afraid? Where do we find strength and comfort for them? What promise do these verses offer to believers? Will God always show up when we are in trouble?



3. Read the account of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:23-27. Discuss the following questions after reading the account.

• Why did the disciples wake Jesus? What were they afraid of?• Why do you think Jesus slept and wasn’t afraid?• Why did Jesus say to the disciples “O ye of little faith”? (Matthew 8:26) Do

you think the disciples were really demonstrating a lack of faith or a normal reaction to a big storm? Why or why not?

• In verse 27 it states, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” Do you think the disciples understood who Jesus was before this? Why or why not? How do you think the disciples will react next time they are afraid? What should we do when we are afraid of a “big storm”? Do you believe Jesus can really conquer any trouble in your life?

4. “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:4-7)

In this passage, Jesus is warning and encouraging his followers. Notice Jesus calls his followers “friends.” What does this tell us about the tone of his mes-sage? Is it given as encouragement or discipline? Whom does he say we should fear? Do you think he really wants us to live in fear of God? Why or why not? What does “fear of the Lord” mean? What can we learn from these verses about God’s love for us? How can this knowledge of God’s love bring you comfort the next time you are afraid?



Puffer fish Ordinal numbers

Ordinal numbers are numbers that tell the position of an object. For example, if three people are in line to buy a book and you are at the front, we say, “You are first in line.” If you were at the back of the line, you would be third in line. We do not say Jerome is in four grade, but in fourth grade. Listed below are the ordinal numbers from first to twelfth. Write each one three times on the line next to the word.

1. first ______________________________________________

2. second ______________________________________________

3. third ______________________________________________

4. fourth ______________________________________________

5. fifth ______________________________________________

6. sixth ______________________________________________

7. seventh ______________________________________________

8. eighth ______________________________________________

9. ninth ______________________________________________

10. tenth ______________________________________________

11. eleventh ______________________________________________

12. twelfth ______________________________________________

Figure it out



1. Color the fifth puffer fish orange. 2. Put yellow dots on the third puffer fish. 3. Color the first fish brown.4. Color the sixth puffer yellow.5. Put pink dots on the second fish.6. Leave the fourth puffer white, but give it a colorful hat to wear.

(the family of fish that puffer fish belong to)

1. Underline the tenth letter.2. Put an X on the eighth letter.3. Circle the twelfth letter.4. Color the fifth letter any color.5. Cross out the seventh letter.6. Turn the eleventh letter into a capital letter.7. Put a smiley face in the ninth letter.



measurement

Puffer fish have many sizes, from 1½ inches to 3 feet. See if your teacher has some yarn or string. You need a ruler or yardstick to measure the lengths of some of the varieties of puffer fish. Using scissors, cut the following lengths. Make paper name labels for each fish’s length. Tape or glue the lengths onto the label.

1. Porcupine Puffer – 12 inches.

2. Red Eyed Puffer – 3 inches

3. Fahaka Puffer or Globe Fish – 17 inches

4. Spotted Green Puffer – 6¾ inches

5. Amazon or Bee Puffer Fish – 5 inches

6. Malabar Puffer – 1½ inches

7. Mbu Puffer – 26 inches

8. Ceylon or Green Puffer – 8 inches



multiPlicatiOn

Do you remember the hint for multiplying by 100? Just take the number you are multiplying by 100 and add two zeroes to it. Easy, huh? For example, 5 X 100=500. Or 21 X 100=2100. Now if you were to multiply by 50, you could mul-tiply by 100, but then halve your answer because 50 is half of 100. 5 X 50=(5 X 100) divided by 2=250.

Supposedly, 100 diners die each year after eating puffer fish. Multiply to find the number of deaths which occurred in the following time periods. Remember to count the beginning year and the ending year.

Example:

1915-1935 would be 21 years so multiply 21 X 100 and you have 2,100 people dying in the time period.

1967-1970 ____________1990-1995 ____________1992-2002 ____________1997-2009 ____________1942-1944 ____________

What if only 50 people died each year? How many people have died in the same time periods?

1967-1970 ____________1990-1995 ____________1992-2002 ____________1997-2009 ____________1942-1944 ____________



elaPsed time

Puffer fish is a food delicacy in Japan called fugu. If it is not cooked properly, the toxin can kill a human. Approximately 100 diners die each year from eating puffer fish. Less than 0.1 gram of the toxin is enough to kill an adult in twenty minutes. Write down what the time would be twenty minutes from the time listed.

Lower grades:10:00 p.m. ______________7:30 a.m. ______________4:00 a.m. ______________2:15 p.m. ______________12:10 p.m. ______________5:00 p.m. ______________11:50 a.m. ______________

Middle grades:10:20 p.m. ______________7:57 a.m. ______________4:30 a.m. ______________2:12 p.m. ______________12:45 p.m. ______________5:36 p.m. ______________11:51 a.m. ______________

What time do you usually eat supper? ______________What time is it twenty minutes later? ______________



When traveling to foreign countries, you must pay in their form of currency (money) rather than using United States dollars (USD). Using the exchange rate, you multiply to discover how much of their money you would receive for your United States dollars. For each 1 USD you would receive the following amounts of foreign currency:

• 89.77 Japan Yen (JPY)• .67 Euros (EUR)• 1,150.50 Iraq Dinars (IQD) (Isn’t that amazing?)• .63 United Kingdom Pounds (GBP)• 75.10 Kenya Shilling (KES)• 13.14 Mexico Pesos (MXN)• 7.32 South Africa Rand (ZAR)

So to figure out how many South Africa Rand (ZAR) you would receive for $250 USD, simply multiply 250 (USD) X 7.32 (ZAR). That would make 1,830.00 (ZAR).

7.32 X 2 5 0 1830.00

Shall we see how many Iraq Dinars you would have? 250 (USD) X 1,150.50 (IQD) would equal 287,625 (IQD).

1150.50 X 2 5 0 287,625

Sounds like a lot, huh? CNN says that in 2003, the median income in Iraq was only about $250 (USD). That is for the whole year!

exchange rates



Now you try it. For the following two USD amounts, figure out how much you would have in each of the currencies listed above.

A. $1,500 USD

Japan Yen JPY_______________Euros EUR_______________Iraq Dinars IQD_______________ United Kingdom Pounds GBP_______________Kenya Shilling KES_______________Mexico Pesos MXN_______________South Africa Rand ZAR_______________

B. $75 USD

Japan Yen JPY_______________Euros EUR_______________Iraq Dinars IQD_______________ United Kingdom Pounds GBP_______________Kenya Shilling KES_______________Mexico Pesos MXN_______________South Africa Rand ZAR_______________

Now that we understand how to change from our USD to foreign currency, we must learn how to figure out how much items cost in foreign countries. A book in Paris costing 10 EUR would cost us 14.93 USD (rounded up, of course). I took 10 EUR and divided it by .67.

10 / .67 = 14.93 USD.

What about 10 KES?

10 / 75.10 = .13 USD, or 13 cents.



Let us suppose you are in a Japanese restaurant ready to order your meal. You decide to stay away from the fugu or puffer fish because you remember how toxic it could be. Instead you look over the menu and choose various items. Looking at the menu choices your family orders, figure how much each person’s meal would cost in USD. Remember, take the total amount and divide by the exchange rate above of 89.77 to find the USD amount. Always round your an-swer to an actual dollar and cents amount.

#1 You order the Toritoji (Japanese noodles with chicken and egg) plus a soft drink and a dessert of tempura ice cream for a total of 1,449.79 JPY.

#2 Dad orders Pickled Vegetables, Sukiyaki (ribeye, vegetables, shitake mush-rooms, and tofu with udon noodles) and a drink of sake for a total of 2,688.61 JPY.

#3 Mom orders Maguro Gomafumi (sesame tuna sushi), edamame (soybeans), water, and ogura ice cream for dessert for a total of 1,930.06 JPY.

#4 Your vegetarian sister orders curry rice with salad, wakame (ramen with seaweed), and mochi mango ice for dessert for a total of 1,781.93 JPY.

#5 Baby Brother only eats steamed rice, which costs 175.05 JPY.

Now figure out the total amount in JPY and USD

#6 _______________JPY#7 _______________USD

For an extension, research some foods you would eat in Japan. You might find some unusual food items. My vegetarian husband visited Japan last year and thought a sea cucumber would be yummy. After eating it, he was told that a sea cucumber is a sea slug. Yuck! His friend ate pasta with octopus ink for the sauce. After researching, create a menu with prices, and then play restaurant with a younger sibling.



Other Puffer fish math ideas

Make puffer fish cutouts from pattern provided. Use them for math fact flash cards or play fishing with a magnet attached to a stick.

Find a Japanese restaurant that will give you a paper menu. Have young students make their own menu with drawings of what they think the food might look like. Help them write prices that they could easily add. Play restaurant with them.

Show students the Japanese way of writing numbers. Have them write numbers 1-10 correctly; then make up another way to write each number.

Buy some Swedish fish candies. Use them as counters for easy addition or subtrac-tion problems.

Blow up a balloon. Draw a puffer fish on it. Bat it up in the air and before it touches the ground, children must answer a math question.

Have children draw an ocean habitat picture. Take an X-Acto knife and cut out flaps. Write a question in marker on each flap. Glue picture down on white piece of paper and have them check their answers, which you have written underneath the flap.

Draw different sizes of puffer fish and have children measure them to the nearest centimeter or ¼ inch.

Weblinks referenced for math pages:http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.htmlhttp://www.kidzworld.com/site/p745.htmhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/puffer-fish.htmlfish sizes — http://fishlore.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodon_mbuhttp://fishprofiles.com/profiles/freshwater/OthersFW/Tetraodon_fluviatilisExchange rates — http://www.xe.com/uccCNN Iraqi median income — http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/05/12/iraq.livingsurvey/Food menu — http://www.koji.com/menu.htm


http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.html

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p745.htm

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/puffer-fish.html

http://fishlore.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodon_mbu

http://fishprofiles.com/profiles/freshwater/OthersFW/Tetraodon_fluviatilis

http://www.xe.com/ucc

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/05/12/iraq.livingsurvey/

http://www.koji.com/menu.htm


The Write StuffWhat Kind of Noun is a Puffer Fish?

A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea. Look around you, and you are sure to spot a few nouns. We use items that we clas-sify as nouns every single day. Every sentence that we read or speak contains at least one noun.

Nouns have different classes or categories. There are common nouns, proper nouns, concrete nouns, abstract nouns, count nouns, non-count nouns, and collective nouns. Today we are only going to talk about the first two types of nouns: the common noun and the proper noun.

A common noun is a noun that refers to a person, place, or thing in a gen-eral sense. A common noun will only identify general varieties of things. You usually will only write a common noun with a capital letter when it begins a sentence or is in a title. Some examples of common nouns are:

dog grass horse book desk pencil bed country water food boy cat chair pen bear candy table paper fish house church girl shirt door

A proper noun is a noun that names a specific person, place, or one-of-a-kind thing. A proper noun is almost always capitalized. The names of the months, days of the week, organizations, religions, historical docu-ments, countries, states, people, and institutions are always capitalized. For example, the following nouns are proper nouns and should always be capitalized:

South Dakota Monday Baptist Friday New Mexico Samantha Magna Carta March Holy Bible Sunday Thomas Catholic December Declaration of Independence United States The Old Schoolhouse Magazine



Now that you know a little about common and proper nouns, it is time to see if you can tell the difference between them. For example, what kind of noun is a puffer fish? Is it a com-mon noun or a proper noun? If you said a common noun, you are correct. When we discuss an animal or fish such as the puffer fish, we are describing a general species. This makes it a common noun. If we were to discuss a specific type of puffer fish, such as the Giant Puffer Fish, then it becomes a proper noun and we would capitalize the specific species. Remember that if the noun is referring to the person, place, or thing in general, it is a common noun. If the noun is specific in naming a person, place, or thing, then it is a proper noun.

Activity:Read the following story. How many nouns can you find in this story? Circle all of the common nouns in BLUE. Circle all of the proper nouns in RED.

The Fisherman and His WifeOnce a fisherman and his wife lived in a little hut by the sea. One day the fisherman sat on the shore with his rod.

“The fish do not bite today,” he said.

Just then something pulled his line. He drew up a large fish.

“Let me go,” said the fish. “I am not good to eat. I am not a real fish. I am an en-chanted prince. Please put me back into the water, and I will swim away.”

The fisherman put him back into the water, and went home to his wife.

“Did you catch no fish today?” said his wife.

“I caught a very large fish,” said the fisherman. “But it said to me, ‘I am not a real fish. I am an enchanted prince. Put me back into the water, and I will swim away. So I put it back into the water, and it swam away.”

“Did you wish for something?” said his wife.

“What should I wish for?” said the fisherman.

“You could wish for a pretty cottage,” said she. “I am tired of this little hut. Go quickly and tell the fish that we want a pretty cottage.”

So the fisherman went back to the sea. The water was all dark and green. He stood by the shore, and said,



“O prince of the sea! Come listen to me, For my wife IsabelHas a wish to tell.”

The fish swam to the shore and said, “What does she want?”

“She wants a pretty cottage,” said he. “She is tired of our little hut.”

“Go, home,” said the fish. “Your wife is in her cottage now.”

The man went home. There stood his wife at the cottage door. She took him by the hand and said, “Come and see our cottage.”

There was a pretty little parlor, and a bedroom and a kitchen. There was a little yard with ducks and chickens. And there was a little garden.

“Is this not beautiful?” said the wife.

“We shall always be happy now,” said the fisherman.

But one day his wife said, “This cottage is too small. I want a large castle. Go quickly and tell the fish.”

So he went back to the shore. The sea was all purple and dark blue. The fisherman stood by it and said,

“O prince of the sea!Come listen to me,For my wife IsabelHas a wish to tell.”

“What does she want?” said the fish.

“She wants a large castle,” said he.

“Go home,” said the fish. “Your wife is in her castle now.”

The fisherman went home. There stood his wife on the castle steps. She took him by the hand, and they went in. There were large halls and beautiful rooms. There were golden tables and chairs. There was a garden full of flowers and fruits. And there was a forest full of deer and sheep.

But his wife was not happy. She wanted more power.

The next morning she said, “You must be king of this country. Go quickly and tell the fish so.”

“I do not want to be king,” said he.

“I will be queen then,” said she. “Go quickly and tell the fish that I must be queen.”



So the fisherman went back to the shore. The sea was dark and gray. There were great waves, and they dashed upon the shore. He stood by it and said,


“What does she want now?” said the fish.

“She wants to be queen,” said the man.

“Go home,” said the fish. “Your wife is queen now.”

The man went home. There he saw a great palace with towers and gateways. There were soldiers with trumpets and drums. He went in and there sat his wife on a throne of gold. His wife had a crown on her head and a wand in her hand.

The fisherman looked at her and said “You are queen now. We can wish for nothing more.”

“I must have more power,” said she. “What shall it be?”

The next morning she said, “What shall I wish for?”

The sun was just coming up. She looked out of the window and said, “I know what I want. The sun must obey me, and the moon must obey me. They must rise and set when I wish it.”

So she went to the fisherman and said, “The sun and moon must obey me! Go quickly and tell the fish.”

“I cannot ask that,” said he. “The fish is angry, and the sea is wild.”

“Go,” she cried, “I am queen, and you must obey.”

So he went back to the shore. There was a great storm. The sky was black. The lightning flashed, and the thunder roared. The wind blew, and the waves beat high. The fisherman was frightened. But he stood by the sea and shouted,


“What does she want now?” shouted the fish.

“She wants to rule the sun and moon. She wants to tell them when to rise.”

“Go home now,” said the fish.”You will find your wife in her hut.”

The fisherman went home, and there sat his wife in the little hut. And there they live to this very day.

-German Folk Tale.



A Sentence-Combining Exercise

Now that you have learned about puffer fish, don’t you think they are interesting fish? Do you ever find yourself amazed at some of the fascinating animals God has created? I know I do! What a creative God we have!

Here are some interesting facts about puffer fish be-low. Let’s do something fun with them. Try organizing them into a little

bit longer, more complicated sentences. Remember, it is more interesting to read a variety of sentences, and it will help you make your own writing more interesting and creative to practice doing this.

Some of these short sentences are naturally related to other sentences, as you will find as you read through these facts below. Try to combine sentences which seem to have some connection or relationship. Let me show you an ex-ample from the first chapter of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis:

Example:It was a moment later.She found that she was standing.She was standing in the middle of a wood.It was night-time.There was snow under her feet.Snowflakes were falling through the air.

C. S. Lewis’ sentence: “A moment later she found that she was standing in the middle of a wood at night-time with snow under her feet and snowflakes falling through the air.”

Do you see how easily some of these thoughts were combined? Give it a try with the following sentences about puffer fish. When you have finished your own version, see how close your version is to the original version! Do you like yours better or the original authors’ version better? Show your version to your parents and see what they think.

Juvenile Porcupine Pu

ffer



• Puffer fish are also known as blowfish.• Biologists think puffer fish developed a way to escape predators.• Puffer fish are able to inflate their bodies.• Puffer fish ingest water.• They ingest huge amounts of water.• They ingest water quickly.• If necessary, they ingest air instead.• Puffer fish make themselves inedible.• They do this by becoming several times larger.• Puffer fish are vulnerable to predators.• Puffer fish swim slowly.• Puffer fish swim somewhat clumsily.• Some puffer fish also have spines on their skin.• The spines make them even less palatable.• Sometimes a predator will catch a puffer fish before it inflates.• The predator won’t feel lucky for long.• Puffer fish contain tetrodoxotin.• Tetrodoxotin is a substance they produce.• It makes them foul tasting.• It is often lethal to fish.• Tetrodoxotin is deadly to humans.• It is up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide.• There is enough toxin in one puffer fish to kill 30 adult humans.• There is no known antidote.

The exercise above is made up from the first two paragraphs taken from the article here:


“Biologists think puffer fish, also known as blowfish, developed their famous “inflatability” because their slow, somewhat clumsy swimming style makes them vulnerable to predators. In lieu of escape, puffer fish use their highly elastic stomachs and the ability to quickly ingest huge amounts of water (and even air when necessary) to turn themselves into a vir-tually inedible ball several times their normal size. Some species also have spines on their skin to make them even less palatable.

A predator that manages to snag a puffer before it inflates won’t feel lucky for long. Al-most all puffer fish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. There is enough toxin in one puffer fish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.”




Elementary Word List

puffer fish - An often poisonous type of fish that has the ability to inflate itself with water or air when it feels threatened.

freshwater - Water that is not salty and is away from the sea.

brackish water - Water that is a mix between salty and freshwater.

predator - An animal that lives by feeding off of other animals.

inflate - To swell or puff up with air or water.

krill - Tiny, hard-shelled plankton similar to a shrimp.

bloodworms - Small, red worm used as bait.

ghost shrimp - A scavenger with a hard shell that resembles a shrimp.

snail - A small mollusk with a spiral-shaped shell on its back.

beak - Formed by its four teeth, it’s the sharp, pointy end of a puffer fish’s mouth.

fugu - Japanese name for a puffer fish used as food.

elastic - To be easily stretched; flexible.

paralysis - Being unable to move.

toxin - A substance that is harmful to animals, fish, or humans.

spherical - To be round or shaped like a ball.

dorsal fin - The fin located on the back of a fish that helps maintain its balance.

Spelling and Vocabulary



Junior High/High School Word Listpuffer fish - An often poisonous type of fish that has the ability to inflate itself with water or air when it feels threatened.

freshwater - Water that is not salty and is away from the sea.

brackish water - Water that is a mix between salty and freshwater.

tetraodontidae - The scientific name for puffer fish; literally means having four teeth.

predator - An animal that lives by feeding off of other animals.

inflate - To swell or puff up with air or water.

defense mechanism - A form of self-protection against predators.

krill - Tiny, hard-shelled plankton similar to a shrimp.

bloodworms - Small, red worm used as bait.

ghost shrimp - A scavenger with a hard shell that resembles a shrimp.

tetrodotoxin - Scientific name for the poison found in a puffer fish.

beak - Formed by its four teeth, it’s the sharp, pointy end of a puffer fish’s mouth.

fugu - Japanese name for a puffer fish used as food.

elastic - To be easily stretched; flexible.

paralysis - Being unable to move.

toxin - A substance that is harmful to animals, fish, or humans.

spherical - To be round or shaped like a ball.

dorsal fin - The fin located on the back of a fish that helps maintain its balance.

We referred to the following sites to make these lists:http://www.answers.comhttp://www.aquaticcommunity.com/predatory/pufferfish2.phphttp://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=pufferfishhttp://www.pufferfish.net/http://science.jrank.org/pages/5588/Puffer-Fish.htmlhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.htmlhttp://fish.mongabay.com/anatomy.htm


http://www.answers.com

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/predatory/pufferfish2.php

http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=pufferfish

http://www.pufferfish.net/

http://science.jrank.org/pages/5588/Puffer-Fish.html


http://fish.mongabay.com/anatomy.htm


Spelling Activities (elementary)

Fill in the missing vowels:1 . D _ R S _ L F _ N2 . P _ R _ L _ S _ S3 . S P H _ R _ C _ L 4 . _ L _ S T _ C5 . F _ G _ 6 . B _ _ K7 . G H _ S T S H R _ M P8 . S N _ _ L9 . B L _ _ D W _ R M S

1 0 . K R _ L L1 1 . _ N F L _ T _1 2 . P R _ D _ T _ R1 3 . B R _ C K _ S H W _ T _ R1 4 . F R _ S H W _ T _ R1 5 . P _ F F _ R F _ S H1 6 . T _ X _ N

Fill in the Blank:Choose the vocabulary word or words that best completes each sentence.

1. ___________ are tiny, have a hard shell, and look somewhat like a shrimp.

2. Water that is a mixture between salty and fresh is called _____________

_____________.

3. In Japan, the puffer fish is known as _____________.

4. The four sharp teeth on a puffer fish are fused together, forming a ____________.

5. There’s nothing spooky about a ____________ ____________.

6. They may be fun to watch but a __________ __________ is often poisonous.

7. In fact, its __________ causes ______________ in both humans and animals.



8. If the puffer fish didn’t have a ___________ ___________, it would have a hard time swimming.

9. Puffer fish have a very ___________ stomach that allows them to ____________ like a ball.

10. A __________________ is an animal that feeds off of other animals.

Spelling Activities (middle/high school)

Circle the correct spelling in each row: 1. Tetraodontidae Tetradontidae Tetroadontidea 2. parylisis paralysis paralisys 3. spearical sphericul spherical 4. Tetrodotoxin Tetradotonixin Tetrodotoxun 5. doorsal fin dorsal fin dorsale fin 6. defense mechanism defense mechinisum defence mechanisum 7. fogu fugu foogu 8. tocksin toksin toxin 9. elasstic elastick elastic10. kill krill kril

Write the vocabulary words in reverse ABC order:1. 10.2. 11.3. 12.4. 13.5. 14. 6. 15.7. 16.8. 17.9. 18.



Word Search

inflate puffer fish beak elastic krill snail bloodworms fresh water paralysis spherical brackish water fugu predator toxin dorsal fin ghost shrimp

Created with www.puzzle-maker.com

O X I Z E H S Z J E L A S T I C J R

F U P R D S U Q G S I S Y L A R A P

A F T Z O I R F P P V I B I A X V L

S E A Z R F P R S T D G R M C M X A

M T E E S R M E B V C S N Z J E J C

R O F C A E I S R Q V Z D S B H A I

O X U L L F R H A Z L A R S W Z R R

W I G L F F H W C H I K Y S Z O H E

D N U I I U S A K G A P T U T D M H

O R H R N P T T I Y N W N A G C W P

O L P K C B S E S K S F D V P T G S

L C S W C F O R H D T E B C X V S G

B K O Y Q L H N W S R F V J Z W L G

D G H J J Q G I A P Q E T A L F N I

Z L S A J X J Q T C D V K R C O F D

L F O R Y B V F E A L O W J B Z S K

D F V W Z X S E R J X M N Q X F Q N

B E A K E R N X R N K V P O O H G C


http://www.puzzle-maker.com


Crossword

1 2 3

4 5

6

7

8

9

10 11

12 13

14 15

16

17

ACROSS

1 The scientific name for puffer fish; literallymeans having four teeth.

4 The fin located on the back of a fish that helpsmaintain its balance.

6 Small red worm used as bait.13 Water that is not salty and is away from the

sea.14 A scavenger with a hard shell that resembles a

shrimp.16 To be round or shaped like a ball.17 A substance that is harmful to animals, fish, or

humans.

DOWN

2 A form of self-protection against predators.3 To swell or puff up with air or water.5 Water that is a mix between salty and

freshwater.6 Formed by its four teeth, it's the sharp, pointy

end of a puffer fish's mouth.7 Scientific name for the poison found in a

puffer fish.8 An animal that lives by feeding off of other

animals.9 An often poisonous type of fish that has the

ability to inflate itself with water or air when it feels threatened.

10 Being unable to move.11 To be easily stretched; flexible.12 Japanese name for a puffer fish used as food.15 Tiny, hard-shelled plankton similar to a

shrimp.

ACROSS

1. The scientific name for puffer fish; literally means having four teeth. 4. The fin located on the back of a fish that helps maintain its balance. 6. Small red worm used as bait.13. Water that is not salty and is away from the sea.14. A scavenger with a hard shell that resembles a shrimp.16. To be round or shaped like a ball.17. A substance that is harmful to animals, fish, or humans.

DOWN

2. A form of self-protection against predators. 3. To swell or puff up with air or water. 5. Water that is a mix between salty and freshwater. 6. Formed by its four teeth, it’s the sharp, pointy end of a puffer fish’s mouth. 7. Scientific name for the poison found in a puffer fish. 8. An animal that lives by feeding off of other animals. 9. An often poisonous type of fish that has the ability to inflate itself with water or air when it feels threatened. 10. Being unable to move. 11. To be easily stretched; flexible. 12. Japanese name for a puffer fish used as food. 15. Tiny, hard-shelled plankton similar to a shrimp.


www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com41The Curiosity Files: The Dung Beetle www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com41The Curiosity Files: The Puffer Fish

The “Sparkle” Game1. Students form a circle. 2. The teacher reads one spelling word aloud. 3. One student is chosen to start the word, saying the first letter of the word. 4. Play moves clockwise, having each student say the next letter of the word. 5. When the word has been spelled correctly, the next student in line says “sparkle.” 6. Then the next word is given. 7. If a student says the wrong letter, he/she is out of the game and must sit down. Keep going until all the spelling words are used. The person left standing wins!

The Memory GameWrite each vocabulary word on an index card. On a separate index card, write the word definitions. Place index cards face down and have students take turns flipping over two cards—one word card and one definition. If they’re a match, the student keeps them. If not, the student flips them back over so the next student can have a turn. The person with the most matches wins.

HangmanTake turns playing this traditional classroom favorite! See how many “body parts” you can draw before your friends/classmates/siblings guess the correct word.

Jeopardy!Create your own version of this classic TV game show, using only your vocabulary words and other interesting facts about the puffer fish. Make sure you answer in the form of a question!

Timed ABC/Reverse ABC OrderRace your siblings to see who can write their vocabulary words in either ABC or reverse ABC order first. For added “drama” set a timer for 1 minute or less!

Just For




coPYwork Genesis 1:26

And/God/said,/Let/us/make/man/in/our/// image,/after/our/likeness:/and/let/them////have/dominion/over/the/fish/of/the/sea,/// and/over/the/fowl/of/the/air,/and/over/// the/cattle,/and/over/all/the/earth,/and/// over/every/creeping/thing/that/creepeth/ upon/the/earth./////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Jonah 1:17 Now/the/LORD/had/prepared/a/great////fish/to/swallow/up/Jonah./And/Jonah/was// in/the/belly/of/the/fish/three/days/and////three/nights.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Matthew 17:27 Notwithstanding,/lest/we/should/offend//// them,/go/thou/to/the/sea,/and/cast/an// hook,/and/take/up/the/fish/that/first//////cometh/up;/and/when/thou/hast/opened///his/mouth,/thou/shalt/find/a/piece/of///// money:/that/take,/and/give/unto/them/////for/me/and/thee.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Mark 6:41 And/when/he/had/taken/the/five/loaves/// and/the/two/fishes,/he/looked/up/to////// heaven,/and/blessed,/and/brake/the///////loaves,/and/gave/them/to/his/disciples/to// set/before/them;/and/the/two/fishes//////divided/he/among/them/all.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



1 Corinthians 15:39 All/flesh/is/not/the/same/flesh:/but/there// is/one/kind/of/flesh/of/men,/another//////flesh/of/beasts,/another/of/fishes,/and////another/of/birds.//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Genesis 1:26

And/God/said,/Let/us/make/man/in/our/// image,/after/our/likeness:/and/let/them/////have/dominion/over/the/fish/of/the/sea,/////and/over/the/fowl/of/the/air,/and/over/the// cattle,/and/over/all/the/earth,/and/over/////every/creeping/thing/that/creepeth/upon/the// earth.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Jonah 1:17

Now/the/LORD/had/prepared/a/great/fish///to/swallow/up/Jonah./And/Jonah/was/in/// the/belly/of/the/fish/three/days/and/three//// nights.///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Matthew 17:27

Notwithstanding,/lest/we/should/offend////// them,/go/thou/to/the/sea,/and/cast/an/hook,/ and/take/up/the/fish/that/first/cometh/up;// and/when/thou/hast/opened/his/mouth,/////thou/shalt/find/a/piece/of/money:/that//////take,/and/give/unto/them/for/me/and/thee.// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Mark 6:41

And/when/he/had/taken/the/five/loaves//// and/the/two/fishes,/he/looked/up/to/heaven,// and/blessed,/and/brake/the/loaves,/and//////gave/them/to/his/disciples/to/set/before////// them;/and/the/two/fishes/divided/he/among//them/all.////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



1 Corinthians 15:39

All/flesh/is/not/the/same/flesh:/but/there/is/one/kind/of/flesh/of/men,/another/flesh/of/// beasts,/another/of/fishes,/and/another/of/////birds./////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



Puffer Fish Science FairWow! There are a lot of interesting facts about puffer fish! Let’s use the information in this book to make a science fair project! First, let’s make models of puffer fish, and then let’s make a science fair display board to tell Dad, grandparents, or friends all we learned about puffers!

Make a Puffer Fish ModelLet’s make a model of a puffer fish before and after it inflates. We based our models on the puffer fish in this National Geographic video, but you can use any puffer fish image you find in a magazine or online (or create your own puffer fish colors!).

Supplies:• 20-oz empty soda bottle with elongated top (makes for a perfect fin!)• Balloon• Newspaper• White printer paper• Paints• Paint brushes• Paper mâché (recipe below)

Paper mâché recipe:½ cup all-purpose flour2 cups cold water2 cups boiling water 3 tablespoon sugar

Mix flour and cold water together. Add 2 cups boiling water and stir until there are no lumps. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring continuously. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar until well mixed. Let paper mâché cool completely.

In the lab


http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/fish-animals/spiny-rayed-fish/pufferfish.html


Assembly Directions

1. Prepare paper mâché and cover work area with newspapers.

2. Once paper mâché is cool, cover empty soda bot-tle with strips of newspaper covered in paper mâché. Let dry and repeat with at least 1 more layer of paper mâché. (Optional: cover with one more layer of paper mâché using white printer paper—it’s easier to paint.)

3. Blow up a large balloon. This will be the puffer fish after it’s filled with water. Cover the balloon with 1 layer of newspaper paper mâché. Allow it to dry completely and repeat. (Optional: cover with one more layer of paper mâché using white printer paper—it’s easier to paint.)

4. Once both models are completely dry, paint your puffer fish.

Puffer Fish Science Fair Display Board

Supplies:• Tri-fold display board (available at Wal-mart and hobby stores)• Puffer fish photos (from magazines or printed from Internet)• Questions and answers you want to share with your audience• Items to use on your board as fun examples of puffer facts

Our science fair display answered the following questions:

“Where in the World Are Puffers?” (We used an enlarged map from the National Geographic website)

“How and Why Do They Puff?”




“Cool Facts about the Puffer”—There are many cool facts about puffer fish in the pages of this book! We included elastic skin (with a balloon as an example of “elastic skin”); no ribs (with a pipe cleaner as an upside down “U” illustrating what happens when a puffer fish inflates); eyes that move inde-pendently (2 googly eyes as examples) and pleated stomach (illustrated with 2 pleated papers glued together)

“What Do Puffers Eat?”

“What Eats Them?”

What other questions and answers can you come up with after reading this book?

Use your puffer fish models and display board to tell your audience about God’s unique creation—puffer fish!



For our history lesson on puffer fish, we are going to explore natural history. Let’s begin with an early drawing of a puffer fish. While on expedition to the United States between 1838 and 1842, Sir John H. Richard made a sketch of a puffer fish. You can see his puffer fish at this website: http://www.150.si.edu/chap3/3fish.htm

Sir John H. Richard was a naval officer from 1807 to 1855 with the Royal Navy. In the navy, Sir John was a naturalist, which means he studied natural history. Because he was a naturalist, he was included on several expeditions with the navy. His job was to collect and draw animals and plants that he found in faraway places. He went on two expeditions to the Arctic and was known for very accurate drawings of the Canadian Arctic Region. But his puffer fish drawing did not come from one of the Arctic expeditions. You’ll learn about the locations of puffer fish in the geography section. Then you’ll know that they can’t be found in the Arctic!

The study of natural history relies on drawings and renderings of plants and animals by the historian. If you want to be a natural historian, you must have good powers of observation. A natural historian observes animals and plants and records them in the form of drawings. Sir John drew plants and animals he saw while on expedition, but he also drew items that were sent to him by other scientists and historians. His drawings were then made into lithographs or engravings so that they could be printed for books. Sir John’s ability to observe plants and animals down to the small-est detail made him a respected natural historian in the 1800s.

So Sir John H. Richard was a natural historian in history. During the same pe-riod during which Sir John H. Richard drew his puffer fish (1838-1842), Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens was a best-seller (1838); Abner Doubleday drew the first baseball field (1839); Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., future Supreme Court

Good Old Days


http://www.150.si.edu/chap3/3fish.htm


justice was born (1841); William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States, died one month after his inauguration (1841); the polka became a popular dance (1842); Boston, Massachusetts, and Albany, New York, were connected by a railroad for the first time (1842); and ether was used for the first time in surgery (1842). Of course, those are just a few of the occurrences in history during this time. You can find more by researching those years in a history book or online. There was a lot going on in history during the years in which Sir John was drawing plants and animals. Just think for a minute about all the things that are happening right now in the world while you are learning about puffer fish. What will be in future his-tory books about this day?

Activity #1Let’s be a puffer fish natural historian today. Take a sheet of white paper. You can use any writing or drawing materials to complete this activity. First, draw a border around your page. You can make swirls, or simply a box around the margin (rounded corners are nice if you’re making a box). The border isn’t completely necessary, but it makes the finished product look nice. At the top of the page, we are going to write the family name of the puffer fish. Write Tetraodontidae at the top of your page. Now we want to fill the page with pictures of various puffer fish. To get an idea of what to draw, look at different puffer fish on the Internet. Here are a few sites with pictures to get you started:

http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?x=puffer_fish__marine_fish__fish__animalhttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.htmlhttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/animals/fish/pufferfish.htm

Be sure to draw a variety of puffer fish. If you look at some of these pictures, there are many varieties of puffer fish. They are very colorful, so your colored pencils, markers, or crayons could come in handy here.

Your natural history page should have several different drawings of puff-er fish on it with some puffed and some not. You should know by now that the fish do not stay puffed up all the time. When you draw your fish, if you see the scientific name of the fish, write it underneath or along the side of your fish drawing. Your finished page should have several varieties of fish on it.

Sir John drew many different animals and plants while on his explorations. If you want to continue to be a natural historian, take a fresh sheet of drawing paper and your writing utensils outside and make a natural history of your back yard or a park nearby. Draw all the plants and animals you see while outside, covering the page with


http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?x=puffer_fish__marine_fish__fish__animal


http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/animals/fish/pufferfish.htm


your drawings. Label this page with today’s date and the location (for example: my backyard or lakeside park).

You can become the noted natural historian of your town and make a book of drawings of the plants and animals you find all over your neighborhood.

Activity #2Make a lithograph, like Sir John. Now that you’ve seen a puffer fish and drawn one for Activity #1, cut the edges off a clean Styrofoam meat tray so that you have a flat piece. Use a toothpick to draw a puffer fish in the tray. Do not press so hard that you push through the Styrofoam, but press hard enough to leave an impression in the tray. When you’ve finished drawing the puffer fish, use markers or paint to color the fish and then press the fish, paint/marker side down, onto a sheet of blank paper. This is similar to the process of making a lithograph. Don’t forget to label your lithograph! (Note to parents: This activity can be done by cutting into a potato as well, but a lot of adult supervision is required.)

Activity #3Use the events listed in the last paragraph of the reading above to make a mini-timeline of 1838-1942. You can add items to this timeline or just use those listed above. Turn an 8½” x 11” piece of paper on its side. Draw a line across the middle of the page from left to right. Use a ruler to keep it straight. Starting from the left, make a mark 1 inch to the right and label that mark 1838; make a mark 2 inches to the right of 1838 and label it 1839; make a mark 2 inches to the right of 1839 and label it 1840; make a mark 2 inches to the right of 1840 and label it 1841; your final mark is 2 inches to the right of 1841 and is labeled 1842. You can complete your timeline one of three ways. (1.) Write each of the events on your timeline. (2.) Find a picture representing each event and print it out. Paste the pictures in the right years on the timeline. (3.) Draw your own pictures that represent each of the time-line events. Make sure to put them in the right years!

Activity #4Answer the following questions:1. What was the name of the naturalist who drew a picture of a puffer fish some-

time between 1838 and 1942?2. Describe what it means to study natural history.3. What should you be able to do well if you study natural history?4. Name one other event that happened around the same time that Sir John’s was

making his puffer fish sketch.



Our natural historian, Sir John H. Richard, traveled to the Arctic, but that’s not where we will find puffer fish.

Puffer fish are found in a band around the globe. If you are looking at a globe, find 45 degrees latitude north. Leave one finger resting on 45 degrees latitude north and now find 45 degrees latitude south. With one finger on the 45 de-grees latitude north and one on 45 degrees latitude south, you can trace the band around the world where puffer fish can be found.

Although they are mostly saltwater fish, there are some freshwater puffer fish. If you would like to do a geography activity, mark 45 degrees latitude north and 45 degrees latitude south on a printable world map. Then color all of the water between those two latitude markings. This will clearly show you where you can find puffer fish!

And how will you get to where you find the puffer fish? Will you take a boat? Will you fly in a plane? Well, however you get there, don’t forget to take your sketchbook!

Where in the World?



Let's Get

CreativeSpiny Paper Plate Puffer Fish

Age: 3-6 years old (fun for all ages!)

Some puffer fish have poky spines all over their body. These spines help them defend themselves against bigger fish who might want to eat them. You can make your own spiny puffer fish paper plate puppet. Use him to pretend he is being chased by predators, which he escapes because of his poky skin.

Templates available at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mppufferfish.htm

Materials needed:• Construction paper in desired colors• Paper plate• Tempera or acrylic paint in desired color• Pencil and black marker• Scissors or paper cutter• Glue

Instructions:1. Puffer fish can be found in many different colors. Choose

a color for your puffer fish and paint the paper plate that color.

2. Draw a half-circle with a marker on the edge of a plate.3. Cut a triangular mouth from the half-circle area.4. Glue the piece you cut out onto the back as a tail.5. Cut an eyeball out of construction paper.6. Cut long triangles out of construction paper and glue them around the paper

plate.7. Cut a fin shape and glue to the middle of the fish.



Draw a Puffer Fish Step by Step

Age: 8 years old and above

Follow these step-by-step diagrams to draw this unique member of God’s creation.

Materials needed:• Drawing paper or sketchbook• #2 pencil• Kneaded eraser• Colored pencils, pastels, crayons, or markers

Instructions:Follow the four easy steps below to draw your puffer fish with your #2 pencil.

Erase any unwanted marks or lines when finished. Complete drawing by color-ing your puffer fish with pastels, crayons, or markers.

Optional: Draw a habitat for your puffer fish to swim in.

1. 2.

3. 4.



Hands-On Learning

The Puffing Puffer FishAges: Preschool to 12th special needs (some physical activity suggested for younger ages)

Time needed: About an hour

Objectives: Ŭ Introduce the unique features of a puffer fish to special needs student. Ŭ Reinforce the concepts of what fish are and where they are found. Ŭ Reinforce the concept that animals have feelings and should be treated with care.

Materials: Ŭ Model of a fish (puffer fish, too, if one can be found easily) Ŭ Live fish (trip to a pet store can possibly be arranged) Ŭ Film clip from YouTube on puffer fish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAGWO5i2C5M or any other represen-tative clip of puffer fish doing its thing Ŭ Modeling clay Ŭ Construction paper Ŭ Puff paint Ŭ Tactile drawing kit

Procedures:Learning disabled students and intellectually delayed students, regard-less of age, will benefit from the multimodal media of the film clip and websites with text, pictures, and charts. If you know your student’s pre-ferred learning style, emphasize that in your resources, but do not elimi-nate other styles. Using all modalities will reinforce the concepts being learned. Blind students can listen to a full description of the film clip noting certain key actions especially of the film clip that is needed for the lesson


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAGWO5i2C5M


such as the shaking of the otter’s head after he tries mouthing the fish, the very large puffer fish after he has inhaled the water, etc. Deaf students can watch the film clip and then the teacher can sign in ASL or type a film tran-script of the features of the film clip that need to be highlighted. Deaf-blind students may or may not be able to use the film clip depending on their visual and hearing limitations. Adapt using the ideas above, if possible.

Describe to your student, regardless of limitations, the concepts of the puff-er fish that your student is capable of understanding at this level. If your child is just learning about fish in general, use a toy model of a fish of any type first. Let him use all of his available senses including touch to explore the fish and discover with you the uses for the fins, mouth, eyes, etc.

Remember, all students can benefit from using all the senses to explore and reinforce learning. Describe the scales (in more detail, if the toy figure doesn’t have much tactile detail for the fins or scales), explaining how they protect the fish like our skin does and help it to be flexible to swim and move in the water. Describe gills in the same manner.

Now move to the puffer fish model, explaining that this fish has been startled and is trying to protect itself by becoming so big to be scary to a bigger fish trying to eat it and maybe, too big to fit in its mouth.

It is possible to gently let a student touch a live fish in water to feel the scales and fins. Deaf-blind children will benefit the most from this because, especially if they are completely or nearly deaf-blind, feeling the movement will help them understand the fish is alive. You must explain that they should only touch gently because fish are animals and have feelings too. “If someone pinches or hits you, it hurts. It will hurt the fish too if you aren’t gentle. We also only touch the fish once, so you can learn more about it. If we touch fish too much, though, we could make them sick or hurt them.”



For teacher information to use as you wish, puffer fish in captivity are not poisonous because the bacterium needed to make the poison is not present in the water. An aquarium or pet store might be willing to help your deaf-blind student learn more about the puffer fish.

A way to help a deaf-blind student understand the concept of a puffer fish swelling itself with water or air is to use a balloon and water and/or balloon and air. You can role play with the student about how the fish might suck in air to blow himself up. Tell the student to take a deep breath and hold it in his mouth to puff out his cheeks. Tell him to pretend his whole body is grow-ing bigger by holding his arms out and walking stiffly. Let him have fun with it. Then say we can pretend this balloon is a puffer fish and feel it grow as it sucks in air or water to scare away the fish who wants to eat it. Let the child hold the balloon as you fill it with air or water. Let him feel it as it expands in his hands. He can even pretend to be the bigger fish trying to eat the balloon if he promises not to bite.

You can teach a deaf or deaf-blind student about the puffer’s other defense by signing oil or grease (non-dominant hand held palm stretched out and facing in toward the body, then using the dominant hand grasp the index finger side edge of the hand with fingers and thumb and slide off the edge of the hand like you are feeling oil or slime). Then sign poison which is like medicine, but with a “p” hand shape in the dominant hand touching the center of the open palm of the opposite hand with the middle finger. Move the middle finger in a motion similar to grinding medicine to a powder with the old-fashioned mortar and pestle (which was a small, wooden tool with a rounded head for grinding or crushing).

P O I S O N



One last suggestion for young special needs students that can get them physi-cally active is to let them do a puffer fish dance by pretending to be a puffer fish and “swimming” around puffing up if they see a big fish and blowing it out when they are safe (water isn’t necessary). If you have more than one stu-dent, one can pretend to be the big fish and one the puffer fish as they move around trying to eat and not get eaten. Let the giggles flow naturally.

Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffer_fishhttp://www.pufferfish.net/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.htmlhttp://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/ani-mals/animals/fish/pufferfish.htm

Ball or puffer fish toy with tactile spikes: $4.99http://tgftoys.com/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2F8gy3%2FAmphibians_Fish_Sea_Life.html%3Fcategory_id%3D8gy3

Anemone clown fish toy: $4.99 http://tgftoys.com/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2F8gy3%2FAmphibians_Fish_Sea_Life.html%3Fcategory_id%3D8gy3


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puffer_fish






http://tgftoys.com/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2F8gy3%2FAmphibians_Fish_Sea_Life.html%3Fcategory_id%3D8gy3






www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com68The Curiosity Files: The Dung Beetle www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com68The Curiosity Files: The Puffer Fish

THE CuriOSiTY

Fact Files

Children learn best by doing, so we have pro-vided a fun way to ensure that your children are really learning the material that they are studying. Our “Curiosity Snippets” are mini-book activities that are simply meant to provide a starting point for your family. We hope that you will have fun with these, and that you will come up with more Snippets of your own to add to your collection.

On the next page, you’ll find a file folder tem-plate that you can use to create a storage container for your Curiosity Snippets. Have fun!



First you need to make a folder to store your files. To get started, take a piece of 81/2 x 11 card stock and using the template below, trace a line along the top edge of your paper with a pencil. Cut along the line to make the top of your folder.

Next, fold your paper in half lengthwise, and tape the sides together. You should now have a folder measuring 51/2 x 81/2 . Fill in what your objective will be for this case, and cut out the report cover below to glue onto your file folder.

Now use your folder to keep your files safe, and have fun with The Curious Case of the Puffer Fish!

!

!

PuFFer Fish

FACT: Puffer fish are very poisonous.

OBJECTIVE:

_____________________

_____________________

_____________________


Puffer Fish Puffer fish are very unique creatures. Cut out the petals below. On each, answer the question given about the puffer fish. Fasten them together with a brass brad to create a fan book, and then attach it to the lapbook.

Puffer Fish

How many different types of puffer fish are there?

In order to “puff up,” what does a puffer fish fill its body with?

What covers the outside of the puffer fish?

What type of shark is particularly fond of puffer fish?

What part of the puffer fish’s body breaks down the food that it eats?

sniPPet #1: Puffer fish fan bOOk

Puffer fish are very unique creatures. Cut out the petals below. On each, an-swer the question given about the puffer fish. Fasten them together with a brass brad to create a fan book, and then attach it to the lapbook.



Vocabulary Words Cut along the dotted lines below. Fold the flaps on the solid lines to bring the outside edges

together. On the outside of each flap, write a vocabulary word. Then, open the flap and write the definition of the word inside. Glue this into your lapbook.

sniPPet #2: VOcabulary WOrds

Cut along the dotted lines below. Fold the flaps on the solid lines to bring the outside edges together. On the outside of each flap, write a vocabulary word. Then, open the flap and write the definition of the word inside. Glue this into your lapbook.



To be sung to the tune of “Ten Little Indians”

Verse 1: Twelve little, twenty-four little, thirty-six little puffer fish

Forty-eight little, Sixty little, Seventy-two little puffer fish

Eighty-four, Ninety-six, One hundred eight little puffer fish

One hundred twenty puffer fish live in the ocean water.

Verse 2: Globefish, puffer, balloonfish are puffer fish

Blowfish, bubblefish, globefish are puffer fish

Swellfish, toadfish, fugu, and toadies

All are types of puffer fish.



read All About itCheck your local bookstore or library for books about the puffer fish. Here are a few suggestions:

• Puffer Fish by Jody Sullivan Rake • Puffer Fish by Colleen A. Sexton• Rub-A-Dub Sub by Linda Ashman• Practical Fishkeeping: Guide to Pufferfish by Chris Ralph • The Puffers of Fresh and Brackish Waters by Dr. Klaus Ebert • Extremely Weird Fishes by Sarah Lovett • Brackish-Water Fishes: An Aquarist’s Guide to Identification, Care, & Husbandry by

Neale Monks, editor• Rainbow Fish: Puffer Cries Shark by Sonia Sander• Emily and Her Pouting Puffer Fish by Dana Phipps • Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters by H. Dickson Hoese

and Richard H. Moore• Pufferfish (Freaky Fish) by Tori Miller• A Field Guide to Atlantic Coast Fishes: North America (Peterson Field Guides) by C. Rich-

ard Robins, Carleton Ray, Roger Tory Peterson, and John Douglass • Handy Pocket Guide to Tropical Coral Reef Fishes (Handy Pocket Guides) by Gerald R. Al-

len, Roger Steene, Rudie Kuiter, and Mark Strickland• Let’s Make a Fugu Kite by Alka Fowler



Wanna Learn More?

Surprisingly, much information is available about puffer fish. If you’d like to learn more, visit these websites. Please remember that TOS does not endorse these Web sites and is not responsible for the content therein. Parents, we would encourage you to visit these websites first and check for content before allowing your children to click through to them.

http://www.pufferfish.net/http://www.pufferfish.net/webcam.phphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodontidaehttp://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/pufferfish.htmlhttp://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/fish/printouts/Pufferfish.shtmlhttp://biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/pufferfish/puffer.htmhttp://www.kidzworld.com/article/745-wild-things-puffer-fishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuguhttp://japanesefood.about.com/cs/seafoodfish/a/fugublowfish.htmhttp://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/pages/pufferfish.htmlhttp://www1.broward.edu/~ssimpson/Pearce..htmhttp://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=pufferfishhttp://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Pufferfish http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=1167http://a-z-animals.com/animals/puffer-fish/http://www.buzzle.com/articles/puffer-fish.htmlhttp://saltaquarium.about.com/od/porcupinepufferfish/tp/tppufferfishprofileshub.htm http://www.nhes.org/articles/view/732 http://www.ozanimals.com/Fish/BlackspottedPufferfish/Arothron/nigropunctatus.htmlhttp://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/puffy/puffy.htmlhttp://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/Data/best/biology/pufferfish.01.htmlhttp://animal.discovery.com/news/afp/20051121/pufferfish_zoom0.htmlhttp://animal.discovery.com/videos/wild-russia-russias-secret-underwater-world.htmlhttp://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/kids/quiz.htmlhttp://www.daniellesplace.com/html/under_the_sea.htmlhttp://www.mysticaquarium.org/videos/animals/396-training-puffer-fishhttp://www.angelfire.com/la/kinderthemes/gocean.html



http://www.pufferfish.net/webcam.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraodontidae


http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/fish/printouts/Pufferfish.shtml

http://biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/pufferfish/puffer.htm

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/745-wild-things-puffer-fish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugu

http://japanesefood.about.com/cs/seafoodfish/a/fugublowfish.htm

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aquarium/pages/pufferfish.html

http://www1.broward.edu/~ssimpson/Pearce..htm

http://www.aqua-fish.net/show.php?h=pufferfish

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Pufferfish

http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=1167

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/puffer-fish/

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/puffer-fish.html

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/porcupinepufferfish/tp/tppufferfishprofileshub.htm

http://www.nhes.org/articles/view/732

http://www.ozanimals.com/Fish/BlackspottedPufferfish/Arothron/nigropunctatus.html

http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/puffy/puffy.html

http://www.armoredpenguin.com/crossword/Data/best/biology/pufferfish.01.html

http://animal.discovery.com/news/afp/20051121/pufferfish_zoom0.html

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/wild-russia-russias-secret-underwater-world.html

http://www.miamichildrensmuseum.org/kids/quiz.html

http://www.daniellesplace.com/html/under_the_sea.html

http://www.mysticaquarium.org/videos/animals/396-training-puffer-fish

http://www.angelfire.com/la/kinderthemes/gocean.html


Answer Keys

Let’s See How Much You’ve Learned . . .

1. B

2. True

3. The Tiger Shark eats puffer fish.

4. C

5. A, B and D

6. pleats in the lining of the stomach

7. True

8. B, C, and D

9. saltwater, freshwater, and even brackish water

10. often aggressive; can kill tank mates

11. A

12. D

13. C

14. the Emperor

15. its four large teeth

16. A

17. eating the fugu you’ve prepared

18. globefish, puffers, balloonfish, blowfish, bubblefish, swellfish, toadfish, fugu, and

toadies

19. D

20. False

21. chameleons



Multiplication

1967-1970 ____________1990-1995 ____________1992-2002 ____________1997-2009 ____________1942-1944 ____________

1967-1970 ____________1990-1995 ____________1992-2002 ____________1997-2009 ____________1942-1944 ____________

Elapsed Time

10:20 p.m. 7:50 a.m. 4:20 a.m. 2:35 p.m. 12:30 p.m. 5:20 p.m. 12:10 p.m.

10:40 p.m. 8:17 a.m. 4:50 a.m. 2:32 p.m. 1:05 p.m. 5:56 p.m. 12:11 p.m

Exchange rates

134,655 JPY 1,005 EUR 1,725,750 IQD 945 GBP 112,650 KES19,710 MXP 10,980 ZAR6732.75 JPY 50.25 EUR 86,287.50 IQD 47.25 GBP 5,632.50 KES 985.50 MXP 549 ZAR

#1 $16.15 USD #2 $29.95 USD #3 $21.50 USD #4 $19.85 USD #5 $1.95 USD #6 8025.44 JPY #7 $89.40 USD

4006001100

1300300

200300550650150



The Fisherman and His Wife

Once a fisherman and his wife lived in a little hut by the sea. One day the fisherman sat on the shore with his rod.

“The fish do not bite today,” he said.

Just then something pulled his line. He drew up a large fish.

“Let me go,” said the fish. “I am not good to eat. I am not a real fish. I am an enchanted prince. Please put me back into the water, and I will swim away.”

The fisherman put him back into the water, and went home to his wife.

“Did you catch no fish today?” said his wife.

“I caught a very large fish,” said the fisherman. “But it said to me, ‘I am not a real fish. I am an enchanted prince. Put me back into the water, and I will swim away. So I put it back into the water, and it swam away.”

“Did you wish for something?” said his wife.

“What should I wish for?” said the fisherman.

“You could wish for a pretty cottage,” said she. “I am tired of this little hut. Go quickly and tell the fish that we want a pretty cottage.”

So the fisherman went back to the sea. The water was all dark and green. He stood by the shore, and said,

“O prince of the sea! Come listen to me, For my wife IsabelHas a wish to tell.”

The fish swam to the shore and said, “What does she want?”

“She wants a pretty cottage,” said he. “She is tired of our little hut.”

“Go, home,” said the fish. “Your wife is in her cottage now.”

The man went home. There stood his wife at the cottage door. She took him by the hand and said, “Come and see our cottage.”

There was a pretty little parlor, and a bedroom and a kitchen. There was a little yard with ducks and chickens. And there was a little garden.



“Is this not beautiful?” said the wife.

“We shall always be happy now,” said the fisherman.

But one day his wife said, “This cottage is too small. I want a large castle. Go quickly and tell the fish.”

So he went back to the shore. The sea was all purple and dark blue. The fisherman stood by it and said,


“What does she want?” said the fish.

“She wants a large castle,” said he.

“Go home,” said the fish. “Your wife is in her castle now.”

The fisherman went home. There stood his wife on the castle steps. She took him by the hand, and they went in. There were large halls and beautiful rooms. There were golden tables and chairs. There was a garden full of flowers and fruits. And there was a forest full of deer and sheep.

But his wife was not happy. She wanted more power.

The next morning she said, “You must be king of this country. Go quickly and tell the fish so.”

“I do not want to be king,” said he.

“I will be queen then,” said she. “Go quickly and tell the fish that I must be queen.”

So the fisherman went back to the shore. The sea was dark and gray. There were great waves, and they dashed upon the shore. He stood by it and said,


“What does she want now?” said the fish.

“She wants to be queen,” said the man.

“Go home,” said the fish. “Your wife is queen now.”



The man went home. There he saw a great palace with towers and gateways. There were soldiers with trumpets and drums. He went in and there sat his wife on a throne of gold. His wife had a crown on her head and a wand in her hand.

The fisherman looked at her and said “You are queen now. We can wish for nothing more.”

“I must have more power,” said she. “What shall it be?”

The next morning she said, “What shall I wish for?”

The sun was just coming up. She looked out of the window and said, “I know what I want. The sun must obey me, and the moon must obey me. They must rise and set when I wish it.”

So she went to the fisherman and said, “The sun and moon must obey me! Go quickly and tell the fish.”

“I cannot ask that,” said he. “The fish is angry, and the sea is wild.”

“Go,” she cried, “I am queen, and you must obey.”

So he went back to the shore. There was a great storm. The sky was black. The lightning flashed, and the thunder roared. The wind blew, and the waves beat high. The fisherman was frightened. But he stood by the sea and shouted,


“What does she want now?” shouted the fish.

“She wants to rule the sun and moon. She wants to tell them when to rise.”

“Go home now,” said the fish.”You will find your wife in her hut.”

The fisherman went home, and there sat his wife in the little hut. And there they live to this very day.

-German Folk Tale.



Spelling Activities (elementary)

Fill in the missing vowels:1 . D _ R S _ L F _ N2 . P _ R _ L _ S _ S3 . S P H _ R _ C _ L 4 . _ L _ S T _ C5 . F _ G _ 6 . B _ _ K7 . G H _ S T S H R _ M P8 . S N _ _ L9 . B L _ _ D W _ R M S

1 0 . K R _ L L1 1 . _ N F L _ T _1 2 . P R _ D _ T _ R1 3 . B R _ C K _ S H W _ T _ R1 4 . F R _ S H W _ T _ R1 5 . P _ F F _ R F _ S H1 6 . T _ X _ N

Fill in the Blank:Choose the vocabulary word or words that best completes each sentence.

1. ___________ are tiny, have a hard shell, and look somewhat like a shrimp.

2. Water that is a mixture between salty and fresh is called _______________

_____________.

3. In Japan, the puffer fish is known as _____________.

4. The four sharp teeth on a puffer fish are fused together, forming a ____________.

5. There’s nothing spooky about a _______________ ______________.

6. They may be fun to watch but a ____________ ____________ is often poisonous.

7. In fact, its ___________ causes __________________ in both humans and animals.

8. If the puffer fish didn’t have a ___________ ___________, it would have a hard time

swimming.

9. Puffer fish have a very ___________ stomach that allows them to ____________ like

a ball.

10. A __________________ is an animal that feeds off of other animals.

O A IA A Y I

E I AE A I

U UE A

OA I

OO OI

IE A OAE

EUO

Kril lbrackish

water

fugubeak

ghostpuffer

toxin paralysis

dorsal fin

elastic inflate

predator

fishshrimp

II

A EI A E

A E

I



Spelling Activities (middle/high school)

Circle the correct spelling in each row:

1. Tetraodontidae Tetradontidae Tetroadontidea

2. parylisis paralysis paralisys

3. spearical sphericul spherical

4. Tetrodotoxin Tetradotonixin Tetrodotoxun

5. doorsal fin dorsal fin dorsale fin

6. defense mechanism defense mechinisum defence mechanisum

7. fogu fugu foogu

8. tocksin toksin toxin

9. elasstic elastick elastic

10. kill krill kril

Write the vocabulary words in reverse ABC order:

1. toxin 10. ghost shrimp

2. tetrodotoxin 11. fugu

3. tetraodontidae 12. freshwater

4. spherical 13. elastic

5. puffer fish 14. dorsal fin

6. predator 15. defense mechanism

7. paralysis 16. brackish water

8. krill 17. bloodworms

9. inflate 18. beak



Word Search

Crossword

O X I Z E H S Z J E L A S T I C J R

F U P R D S U Q G S I S Y L A R A P

A F T Z O I R F P P V I B I A X V L

S E A Z R F P R S T D G R M C M X A

M T E E S R M E B V C S N Z J E J C

R O F C A E I S R Q V Z D S B H A I

O X U L L F R H A Z L A R S W Z R R

W I G L F F H W C H I K Y S Z O H E

D N U I I U S A K G A P T U T D M H

O R H R N P T T I Y N W N A G C W P

O L P K C B S E S K S F D V P T G S

L C S W C F O R H D T E B C X V S G

B K O Y Q L H N W S R F V J Z W L G

D G H J J Q G I A P Q E T A L F N I

Z L S A J X J Q T C D V K R C O F D

L F O R Y B V F E A L O W J B Z S K

D F V W Z X S E R J X M N Q X F Q N

B E A K E R N X R N K V P O O H G C

1 2 3

4 5

6

7

8

9

10 11

12 13

14 15

16

17

ACROSS

1 The scientific name for puffer fish; literallymeans having four teeth.

4 The fin located on the back of a fish that helpsmaintain its balance.

6 Small red worm used as bait.13 Water that is not salty and is away from the

sea.14 A scavenger with a hard shell that resembles a

shrimp.16 To be round or shaped like a ball.17 A substance that is harmful to animals, fish, or

humans.

DOWN

2 A form of self-protection against predators.3 To swell or puff up with air or water.5 Water that is a mix between salty and

freshwater.6 Formed by its four teeth, it's the sharp, pointy

end of a puffer fish's mouth.7 Scientific name for the poison found in a

puffer fish.8 An animal that lives by feeding off of other

animals.9 An often poisonous type of fish that has the

ability to inflate itself with water or air when it feels threatened.

10 Being unable to move.11 To be easily stretched; flexible.12 Japanese name for a puffer fish used as food.15 Tiny, hard-shelled plankton similar to a

shrimp.

T E T R A O D O N T I D A E

D O R S A L I N

L O O D W O R M S

F E S H W T R

P H E R C A LT O X I

H S S H R I P

NFLATE

PREDATOR

BEAK

FUGU

KRI

L

EFEN EMECHANISM

BRACKISHWATER

TETRODOTOXIN

PUFFERFISH

PARALYSIS

ELASTIC


http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_61&products_id=2330

the curiosity files · this published work may contain facts, views, opinions, statements,...

Documents