If you are doing this activity as a group activity, divide the class into small groups and distribute one copy of each whale to each group. If this activity is an individual activity, each student receives a copy of each whale. Before distributing, shuffle whales so they're in random order. Students put the whales in order of smallest to largest. Review the name of each whale from smallest to largest.
Students check their work.
Using a different color of tape or a different color felt pen for each whale you've chosen, mark the lengths of the whales on the rope. On a piece of paper or cardboard, make a color key to go along with the rope. Do this activity outside or in the school auditorium. Select two student volunteers to slowly unroll the whale rope. Have them stop unrolling each time they reach a colored marker.