Home
EXPANDING BOUNDARIES.
CHANGING LIVES.
EXPANDING BOUNDARIES.
CHANGING LIVES.
0

Read: Clumsy Crab

by  Mote Marine Laboratory

Program image

In this interactive virtual story time, learners enjoy a read-aloud of If A Dolphin Were A Fish, written by Loran Wlodarski and illustrated by Laure Allen Klein. Join Delfina the dolphin as she imagines life as other ocean animals. What would it be like to breathe through gills like a fish, nest on the beach like a sea turtle, or flap feathered wings like a pelican? Watch Delfina transform into an octopus with no bones, a shark with a sharp sense of smell, and even a gentle, plant-eating manatee. Playful “morphing” illustrations bring each transformation to life, sparking laughter and curiosity. Along the way, young readers will explore what makes a mammal a mammal—and how different creatures have adapted to life in the sea.

Our thanks to Tiger Tales Books for making this program possible.

Book it!
Pay Now by Credit Card
via TidyCal.com
Book it!
Pay Later by PO/Invoice
via TidyCal.com

Program Rating

   based on 41 evaluation(s).

About This Program

Cost

By Request: $111.11
By Request Premium: $100.00


Programming available 9:30 am–4:00 pm ET. Weekend and after hours (5 pm ET) requests are available for an additional fee.

Billing Questions: please contact our Operations & Administration Manager (educate@mote.org, 941-388-4441;348).

Sarasota Teachers: Our EdExploreSRQ listings are eligible for funding from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, as well as the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. Find out how to fund your virtual field trip.


Length

Up to 30 minutes


Target Audience

Education: Grade(s) Pre-K Students, Kindergarten, 1, 2, 3, 4, Homeschool/Family , Learning PodPublic Library: Library Patrons

Minimum participants:

1

Maximum participants:

100


Primary Disciplines

Language Arts/English, Literacy, Reading, Science, Social and Emotional Learning( SEL)


Program Delivery Mode

Videoconference – Webcam/desktop (Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, etc...)
Zoom



Booking Information

Mote reserves the right to modify program content or schedules as needed. Changes made by Mote do not qualify for a refund. Program elements may vary due to weather or veterinary needs. While we strive to deliver all experiences as described, a mix of live and pre-recorded video may be used to maintain program quality.

Sorry, this program is not currently available. To inquire about future availability, please contact Mote Marine Laboratory

Receive this program and 9 more for one low price when you purchase the CILC Virtual Expeditions package. Learn more

For more information contact CILC by email info@cilc.org or by phone (507) 388-3672

Provider's Cancellation Policy

Effective 7/1/2025, the following Cancellation, Rescheduling & Program Policies apply to Mote Virtual Focus Trips.

About This Provider

Content Provider logo

 

Mote Marine Laboratory

Sarasota, FL
United States

Experience the wonders of the ocean from the comfort of your own classroom or home with Mote Marine Laboratory's Virtual Focus Trips! As a world-class, AZA-accredited nonprofit marine research institution, we bring the excitement of authentic research and hands-on learning to you. From chatting with a shark trainer in the stunning new Mote Science Education Aquarium, to exploring the Florida Keys and observing coral reefs like a real scientist, our virtual lessons are designed to engage and inspire your students. Aligned with state and national education standards, our lessons range from 30 to 60 minutes and provide a unique and thrilling way to dive into STEM topics. Join us on a virtual learning journey and unlock the mysteries of the ocean!

Contact:
Jason Robertshaw
marven@mote.org
(941) 388-2904

Program Details

Format

  1. Introduction and Prior Knowledge: Learners are invited to share what they know, what they’ve observed in nature, and what they’re curious to learn about sharks, crabs, and other marine life. ?? We also practice snapping!
  2. Segment 1 – Story Time: We read Clumsy Crab together. As the story unfolds, learners meet Nipper, a crab with big claws and a bigger heart. Through guided discussion, we explore how he plays with his friends, what makes him feel different, and how he learns to see his claws in a new way. Along the way, we compare the features and movements of different sea animals, including crabs, octopuses, and fish.
  3. Segment 2 – Crabby Questions: We play a fun reading comprehension quiz to revisit key moments in the story and encourage recall and reasoning. Then we take a quick crawl through crab diversity using photos and video to show real species.
  4. Segment 3 – Questions and Answers: We conclude with a live, educator-led Q&A. Learners are encouraged to ask questions about crabs and how we study and care for marine animals at Mote.

Segments may vary due to weather and animal care priorities. We will make every effort to deliver the segments as described but may use a combination of live and recorded video when necessary.

Objectives

  • Explore how crabs and other sea creatures are adapted to survive in ocean habitats.
  • Engage in a discussion about friendship, self-acceptance, and the diversity of marine animals.
  • Compare different types of crabs and how they differ from other ocean animals.
  • Develop curiosity and confidence in asking questions about crabs and other marine life.

Standards Alignment

National Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.1.RL.5 -- Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.3.RL.1 -- Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.3.RL.3 -- Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.K.RL.1 -- With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
LS1A 3-5 -- Structure and function
LS1A K-2 -- Structure and function

State Standards

    Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS)
  • SC.K.L.14.2 – Recognize that some books and other media portray animals and plants with characteristics and behaviors they do not have in real life. Application: Learners identify which parts of Clumsy Crab are pretend, then compare those fictional traits to real facts about crabs shared in the learning segment.
  • SC.1.N.1.1 – Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them individually and in teams. Application: Learners ask and answer questions about crab behavior, body parts, and life in the ocean.
  • SC.2.L.17.2 – Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs. Application: Learners discuss how different ocean animals live in different habitats and how each has body parts and behaviors that help them meet their needs.
  • SC.3.L.15.1 – Classify animals into major groups according to their physical characteristics and behaviors. Application: Learners classify crabs as crustaceans and compare them with other invertebrates.
  • SC.4.L.17.4 – Recognize ways plants and animals, including humans, can impact the environment. Application: Learners discuss how pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss affect crabs and what people can do to help protect ocean life.