Project Immersion: Uses of Baleen

Grades K-2: Uses of Baleen

Objective Students will learn about baleen and how it works.

Materials Pictures/diagram of baleen, paper plates, scissors, 1 yard thin plastic tubing (half a hula-hoop for example).

Time Frame 1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background See Mysticetes in the Background Information

Dive In! What exactly is baleen? It's a strange word and a stranger concept-building a model will help students visualize how baleen works.

Process Use the diagram to review how to make the baleen before showing your students.
Following the diagram, bend tubing into a semi-circle and place small slits in it all around, across the short width of the tube.
Introduce students to the idea of baleen as different from teeth.
Give each student a paper plate and have them make a baleen plate following your directions. Explain to them while doing this where each section is oriented. Fringe inwards towards the throat, the flat section in the roof of the mouth and the pointed section downwards.
Have students bring baleen plates up to the tubing, which represents the whale's "jaw" and put their piece into the "jaw". When done you can show students how the whale's mouth looks from the inside.

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Objective	Students will learn about baleen and how it works.

Materials	Pictures/diagram of baleen, paper plates, scissors, 1 yard thin plastic tubing (half a hula-hoop for example).

Time Frame	1/2-1 hour

Teacher Background	See Mysticetes in the Background Information

Dive In!	What exactly is baleen? It's a strange word and a stranger concept-building a model will help students visualize how baleen works.

Process	Use the diagram to review how to make the baleen before showing your students. Following the diagram, bend tubing into a semi-circle and place small slits in it all around, across the short width of the tube. Introduce students to the idea of baleen as different from teeth. Give each student a paper plate and have them make a baleen plate following your directions. Explain to them while doing this where each section is oriented. Fringe inwards towards the throat, the flat section in the roof of the mouth and the pointed section downwards. Have students bring baleen plates up to the tubing, which represents the whale's "jaw" and put their piece into the "jaw". When done you can show students how the whale's mouth looks from the inside.