Oysters, oysters,
fresh from the bay,
their shells are shining
in the sun today.

They’ve been growing
for one whole year;
the time to eat them
is almost here.

Oysters taste slimy,
some people say.
But I think they’re great,
any old day!

Teacher’s note: It takes a year for an oyster to grow before it’s ready to eat.  People either love them or hate them.  How many students in your class like oysters — and why?  How many know where they come from?  In the photo, the yellow “fingers” are visible — that means the shell has further to grow.

Inspecting oysters at Mooney Mooney, Hawkesbury River. Photo by Ginette Pestana