Searching for Seven Sand Dollars

Sixth graders studied Greek art and learned that Greek mythology includes gods of the ocean such as Oceanus and Poseidon. 
 

Oceanus

 

Poseidon
















They also learned that oceanography:

• Is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean
• Comes from the Greek words meaning "ocean" and "to write"

After viewing a picture of Alexander the Great, the King of Greece, in an early type of submarine, we discussed the different types of invertebrates that he may have seen such as anemones, starfish and sand dollars.   

Alexander the Great, King of Greece


Then students created a composition of seven sand dollars using soft pastels, glue and gold glitter.  Afterwards, they wrote their own myth explaining how and why sand dollars were made.