Sharks Lapbook

How big is the biggest shark? What do they eat? Are sharks as scary as they seem? Find out the answers to these questions (and more!) with our free Sharks Lapbook.

Thanks to Lynn Pitts for writing the research for this lapbook.

Sharks Lapbook Lessons

Here are some sample lessons from the Sharks Lapbook:

What Are Sharks?

Sharks are fish. They are one of the fastest fish in the sea. Most fish are cold-blooded. Their body temperature changes with the temperature of the water around them. Fish breathe with organs called gills. Sharks do not have bones. Their skeletons are made entirely of cartilage, which is lighter and more flexible than bone.

Shark Vocabulary

• Cartilage: Rubbery material that forms the skeleton of a shark.
• Denticles: Small, stiff, thorny scales that make up a shark’s rough skin.
• Gill: Part of a fish’s body that allows it to breathe oxygen. They breathe in oxygen from the water and release carbon dioxide.
• Pup: A baby shark.
• Predator: An animal that hunts other animals.
• Prey: An animal hunted by another for food.
• School: A group of fish.

Shark Sizes

There are more than 250 species of sharks.

Nine most familiar sharks and their sizes:

Mako Shark- Length: 13 feet
Bull Shark- Length: 12 feet
Leopard Shark- Length: 7 feet
Whale Shark- Length: 60 feet
Great White Shark- Length: 24 feet
Great Hammerhead Shark- Length: 20 feet
Nurse Shark- Length:14 feet
Tiger Shark- Length: 24 feet
Thresher Shark- Length: 20 feet

There are four categories of sharks:

• Requiem Sharks:
  This is the largest family of sharks. It includes: Tiger, Blue, Leopard, Bull, Blacktip, Lemon, and Whitetip Sharks.
• Mackerel Sharks:
  This is the second largest family of sharks. It includes: Great white, mako, and porbeagle sharks.
• Hammerhead Sharks:
  The third largest family of sharks includes: Bonnethead, Scalloped Hammerhead, and Great Hammerhead Sharks.
• Carpet Sharks:
  This large family includes: Nurse, Whale, and a wide variety of Carpet Sharks.

You can grab a copy of the entire Sharks Lapbook in an easy-to-print file at the end of this post.

Sharks Lapbook Printables

In addition to the research lessons, the file includes these mini-books for your student to create a Shark Lapbook:

• New Words Shark Shapes
• Shark Safety File Folders
• Shocking Shark Facts Mini-book
• What Is a Shark? Simple Fold Book
• Shark Species Cards & Pocket

• How Do Sharks Help? & How Are Sharks Hurt? Flap Book
• Where Do Sharks Live? Pop-up Book
• All in the Shark Family Envelope Fold Book
• Shark Sizes Graph

• Sense-ational Hunters (Shark Senses) Flap Book
• Relatives Matchbook
• Diet Matchbook
• Shark Diagram Mini-book
• Shark Babies Mini-book
• Book Log Hotdog Book
• Shark Parts Tab Book
• Shark Teeth Shape Book

How to Get Started with Your Shark Lapbook

Follow these simple instructions to get started with the Sharks Lapbook.

1. If you want, go to your local library and check out books about sharks.
2. Print the Sharks Lapbook. You can choose between two versions: the black and white version or the full color version.
3. Choose and prepare the mini-books you want to use with your student.
4. Enjoy a week of reading and learning all about sharks!

Lapbook Example

This lapbook was made with two file folders glued together. If you are new to lapbooking, check out this How to Make a Lapbook ultimate guide.

Download Your Free Sharks Lapbook

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