Curated OER
Interest Survey
In this science and social studies worksheet, students complete a survey about their interests. Students check each subject that they are interested in, such as killer whales, Thomas Edison, and magnets.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
Read Works
Read Works: Life in the Ocean
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the different depth levels of the ocean and the types of animals that live in each. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Boise State University
Boise State University: Ocean Exploration: Abyssopelagic (Abyssal) Zone
Learn about the very cold, dark region of the ocean known as the abyss. Includes information on the origin of the name of this ocean zone, as well as information on its depth and animal life.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Oceanic Pelagic Biome
Learn about the oceanic pelagic ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Understanding the Ocean Ecosystem
Describes the two organisms capable of photosynthesis in an ocean ecosystem, the different ocean zones and the plants and animals that live in them, some facts about the ocean, and the five oceans of the world.
NOAA
Noaa: Year of the Ocean, Kids and Teachers Corner
Great resources on a variety of ocean and environmental concerns, endangered plants and animals, climate and habitats, frequently asked questions and fact sheets.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Sea Turtles for Kids: Learn About These Reptiles of the Ocean
Kids learn to identify sea turtles including different species loggerhead and leatherneck. These reptiles are endangered.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Coastal Ocean Biome
Learn about the coastal ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: The Deep Sea Biome
Learn all about the abyssal ocean ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Intertidal Zone
Learn about the intertidal ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Coral Reef Biome
Learn about the coral reef ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
Other
Rutgers Marine & Coastal Sciences: Cool Classroom
Students and teachers can explore the work of marine scientists and observe the ocean from their computers. Learn about Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, discover why oceanography is important, and see what life is like in...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Glowing in the Ocean
This site focuses on underwater animals that create their own light using bioluminescence. It also provides the lyrics and audio of a catchy tune putting bioluminescence in the spotlight.
Unite for Literacy
Unite for Literacy: Animals: Ocean Beasties
See some of the amazing animals that live in the ocean. Each page has one animal name and a photograph. Includes audio narration in English and Turkish with text in English.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Timing the Tides
Have you ever been to a tide pool during low tide? Some intertidal animals in the low tide zone are left in a tiny pool of water when the tides go out. Other intertidal animals that live in high tide zones may be left to dry out during...
Science Struck
Science Struck: A Helpful Guide to Understand the Photic Zone
The photic zone is the upper layer of the ocean where sunlight can penetrate and support photosynthesis. This article explains the characteristics of this zone, the food chain that exists there, the adaptations of the plants and animals,...
Other
Ocean Tracks: Fact or Artifact? Interpreting Patterns in Ocean Tracks Data [Pdf]
Ever wonder where marine animals go? How fast they swim? How deep they dive? Electronic tagging has opened a new window into the world of the open ocean. Ocean Tracks gives you access to data collected by tags on real live migrating...
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Service Education: Corals
This Coral Tutorial is an excellent resource with diagrams, pictures, animations and short videos. All aspects of coral biology are discussed. As an added benefit, pdf versions of the site are available along with a subject review...
National Geographic
National Geographic: Adapting Under Pressure
Students learn about James Cameron's Challenger Deep dive and about the marine animals that live in different layers of the ocean. They then study the characteristics of the hadalpelagic zone at the bottom of the ocean, and imagine and...
A-Z Animals
A Z Animals: Animal Facts: Barracuda (Sphyraena)
Explore the world of the Barracuda and discover information on the physical characteristics, habitat, predatory lifestyle, and breeding of this ocean fish. Includes images and statistics.
Other
New England Aquarium: Climate Change and the Oceans
A series of videos accompanied by student activity sheets explore the impact of climate change on the ocean and the animals that live in and around it: sea turtles, jellies, whales, shore birds, lobsters, and coral.
Read Works
Read Works: What's in the Oceans? Amazing Ocean Animals
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about some of the animals found in the ocean including: sea turtles, sea urchins, starfish, sea horses, and clownfish. A question sheet is available to help students build skills...