WILD Math: How Many Fish are in this Lake?
Provided by: Illinois Department of Natural Resources|Published on: June 20, 2025
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Mathematics
Authors: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Region: Illinois, South Central IL
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson plan from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources explores the importance of stocking fish in lakes and ponds.
- Using real-life examples, students have to complete calculations to show what a healthy community of fish would look like for various-sized ponds and lakes.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The lesson plan includes background information, procedural steps, extension activities, and an activity page for students to complete.
- The lesson plan integrates math and science to explore how the proper stocking of fish in lakes and ponds is essential in keeping the balance of a delicate ecosystem that depends on proper human interactions.
Prerequisites
- The teacher should be aware of the math computation needed to complete the activity. Teachers can have students complete work using the standard algorithm or supply calculators for students. The use of calculators can also be based on need and used as a differentiation strategy.
- The teacher should print enough student activity pages for the entire class.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Teachers should consider the best way to share the background information included in the lesson plan with his/her students. The teacher may want to consider putting the information into a slide presentation before completing the student activity page.
- In this lesson, students are exploring the potential positive impact humans have on the ponds and lakes. However, humans also have a negative impact on the environment. Students can come up with a pro and con list of the impact humans have on the environment in various ways by researching. Students can analyze if it's better for the environment to have human interaction or if it's better to have a hands-off approach.
- Students can continue to explore the impact humans have on the ecosystem by watching this video and reading this article, discussing what happens to marine animals when the ecosystems become unbalanced.
This lesson plan details a lesson about stocking fish in lakes and ponds, as well as the importance of healthy ecosystems. The lesson focuses on the value of stocking fish and how it is done to keep ecosystems in balance. The lesson touches on ideas of sustainability and responsible interactions with the environment. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is available for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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