Tropical Island Flora & Fauna

Create a replica of a tropical island, complete with palm trees, coral reefs, and other wildlife.

• 1.

  Find out details about a specific tropical island such as its weather, natural resources, and culture. Locate the island on a world map. What plants grow there? Which ones are delicious to eat? Does it have beautiful sandy beaches? A barrier reef? Create a replica of the island with authentic flora and fauna.

• 2.

  Work on a clean, dry surface such as a paper plate. Flatten a handful of Crayola Air-Dry Clay. Pinch the edges with your fingers to form a wavy shoreline. Then add realistic details. These are a few ideas to try. Use craft sticks or other tools to cut the clay. To attach pieces to each other, scratch with a toothpick and press. Add a few drops of water if the clay starts to dry.

• 3.

  Show the plants that live on your island. Make a palm tree by rolling out a log of clay. Flatten the trunk slightly. Make bark texture by pressing a clothespin end into it. Attach the tree to your island. Cut out oval palm leaves, score with a toothpick, add cross hatching for palm fronds, and attach. Form tiny balls of clay to make coconuts. Hang near the palm fronds. What other plants grow in abundance on your island? Create them, too.

• 4.

  Many tropical islands have coral reefs and other animal life. Make yours authentic! Roll out coral in short tubes and attach around the beach. Use a real shell as a mold to make sea shells. Press clay into it and gently pull off. Make fish by cutting ovals in flat clay. Add fins and tails. Add eyes with a toothpick. Cut out starfish and texture them. Add other miniature animals that live on or near your island. Air-dry your scene for at least 3 days.

• 5.

  Paint with Washable Watercolors and brushes to give your diorama a tropical look. Air-dry the paint. Add another coat for darker colors.

• 6.

  Spread Crayola Texture It! Tempera Mixing Medium to add roughness to sand and coconut shells. Cover sand with Glitter It! to make it glisten. Use Pearl It! on water or shells for a natural look. Air-dry your diorama before displaying.

Benefits

• Children research information about a specific tropical island and locate it on a world map.
• Students find out details about coral reefs and other animal and plant life on the island.
• Students find out details about coral reefs and other animal and plant life on the island.

Adaptations

• Find out how ocean currents affect your island’s climate.
• Taste a variety of fresh tropical fruits. Mark where they come from on a world map. What climate conditions are necessary for them to grow? How are they exported?
• Compare the differences in fish that live in colder and warmer water. Why are some more colorful? Make a compare and contrast diorama.
• Plant life is an integral part of ocean ecology. Even some larger fish species thrive only on plant life. Discuss the importance of the ocean food chain. Make a mural showing the food chain in one area of an ocean or for one large species.
• Assessment: Children create an authentic replica of the island they chose, including flora and fauna.