Sand Dollars from Greece

Alexander the Great, King of Greece

During fourth quarter, sixth graders studied Greek art and learned that Greek mythology includes gods of the ocean such as Oceanus and Poseidon.  They also learned that oceanography is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean and it 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. Then students created a composition of seven sand dollars using soft pastels, glue and glitter.  One student even included a scuba diver!