Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Zones

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a mural showing ocean zones and the diversity of ocean life. They use reference books to create a list of plants and animals that would live in each zone.
Lesson Plan
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What's Deep in the Ocean?

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students examine the role of an oceanographer in trying to explore the ocean. Using wax paper, they divide it up to show the sunlight, twilight and midnight zones. To end the lesson, they identify the types of plants and animals that are...
Lesson Plan
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The Unseen Ocean Floor

For Teachers 2nd - 10th
Students build ocean floor structures, then map and model an unfamiliar ocean floor. They are introduced to bathymetry and sea floor features, and discover one of the most widely usd methods for studying the ocean.
Lesson Plan
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Intertidal Zones

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore intertidal zones. In this intertidal zones lesson plan, students work in small groups and use ready-made materials to create a model of intertidal zones. Resources are provided.
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Goes to Mussel Beach

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students investigate tides and create a model of an intertidal zone. In this hands-on marine science lesson based on a Magic School Bus book, the teacher leads students in a discussion about tides, then helps students model a tide and...
Lesson Plan
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Dive and Discover the Ocean

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate the three zones of the ocean and the plants and animals that live in each zone. Projects produced are shared with classmates in a share circle where the unique features of the animal and zone selected are...
Lesson Plan
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In The Zone

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders identify ways that ocean animals grow, survive, reproduce, and adapt. They use computer Internet skills to acces and collect information. They create a PowerPoint presentation. They demonstrate writing skills throughthe...
Lesson Plan
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The Intertidal Zone: Tide and How Creatures Survive

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners explore oceanography by completing science worksheets. In this tide pools lesson, students discuss the forces of the tide pools, the animals that live within them, and the impact they have on the rest of the ocean. Learners...
Lesson Plan
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The Intertidal Zone: Tides and How Creatures Survive

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students study the properties of ocean water and tides and learn about animals that live in intertidal zones. In this intertidal zone lesson, students participate in classroom stations to learn about fresh water and salt water, cold...
Lesson Plan
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Monitoring Life In The Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate marine life by researching aquatic organisms on the Internet. In this oceanography lesson, students monitor algae and animals of the ocean by identifying their population and habitat on data sheet ID cards. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Tracking Ocean Ecology

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students look at the data maps given to them about how chlorophyll affects the algae blooms and make predictions about the harm they will cause. In this data maps lesson plan, students manipulate data sets from the website.
Lesson Plan
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Aquatic Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders record information on aquatic ecosystems and create a labeled diagram of an ecosystem of their choice. They can choose from an ocean zone, estuary, river, lakes, or beaches. The student has to explain their biome of choice.
Lesson Plan
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Specialized for the Sea

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use pictures and make a mural to investigate how ocean animals are adapted to certain parts of their environment.
Lesson Plan
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Beach Zonation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore biology by participating in an organism identification activity. In this beach field trip lesson, students identify the different areas of the beach in which organisms reside and discuss the differences between high tide...
Lesson Plan
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Oceans

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students gain an understanding of the number of oceans and their names by learning a song. They become aware that there are three zones of the ocean and explore the plants and animals that are found at each level.
Lesson Plan
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Sinking Races

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students build plankton models and compete to see which sinks most slowly. They write, or orally present ,the adaptations they incorporated to slow the sinking rate of their organisms. Race results can be grounds for some prizes!
Lesson Plan
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3-D Ocean Animals

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research an animal from the ocean, using the internet and encyclopedias, with at least 5 out of 5 topics covered. They also construct a 3-dimensional model of their animal and give an oral presentation about their animal...
Lesson Plan
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Marine Energy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
In small groups, energy engineers research and make a topographic map of a marine natural resource. They report to the rest of the class pros and cons of extracting their assigned resource. The two activities may take up to four class...
Lesson Plan
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Lesson Five

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study ocean habitats and create a habitat zone replica.  In this ocean habitat lesson students design and construct their own unique habitat.
Lesson Plan
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Plankton / Phytoplankton

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discuss the importance of plankton in the ocean ecosystem. In this biology lesson, students identify the different types plankton by observing them under the microscope. They explain how plankton population affect global...
Lesson Plan
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Tides and How Creatures Survive

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discover tidal pools.  In this oceanographic activity, students observe the tides of the earth and the creatures that inhabit the intertidal zones.  Students role-play the tidal zones by portraying themselves as...
Lesson Plan
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Japan and The Ring of Fire

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a study of the volcanic forces and earthquakes associated with The Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. The people of Japan are researched in how they have dealt with living in the area. Also students write in journals...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Marine Ecosystems in the Caribbean and Maine

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students compare the marine habitats of Maine and the Caribbean using temperature, tides, ocean currents, latitude and longitude. In this marine ecosystems instructional activity, students analyze maps to complete graphic organizers that...
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Goes to Mussel Beach

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students participate in a hands-on activity where they explore tidal zones. They explore tides and marine life. This is an experiment that can be accomplished in class.