Activities for Adults: Week 1

Person laying on their front reading a book and dreaming of the ocean.

Shell Identification

Materials: Shells, Antibacterial soap, hydrogen peroxide, old toothbrush, shell identification books, Google Lens.

Instructions: Go to the beach or trail and pick up a variety of shells.

two hands holding a green beach bucket with a yellow shovel with a bunch of small seashells, covered in sand.

Or: Purchase shells from the store, this bag was bought at Michael’s Arts and Craft store. Similar can be found at many gift shops.

A net bag full of painted seashells, in white and various shades of pink. Some are also brown and natural looking, with a shine.

Examine seashells and try to identify them.

Clean shells with antibacterial soap and an old toothbrush. Let them soak for a short time in hydrogen peroxide (an hour or two until bubbles form on top). Rinse and let dry. Take pictures, identify, and email to reading@dbs.fldoe.org!

Variety of shells, laid out drying on a piece of paper towel. Shells are smooth side up, concave side down.

Some shells collected at New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Olive shell, swirl at the top, open slit all along the side.
Coquina shells. Very small, half inch at most, smooth oval shells.
These are cockle shells. Scalloped ridges and edges. Scoop shaped, beige and brown.
Coquina shells are just a half inch, larger cockle shells are up to 3 inches.

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