Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of Old England in the 1630s-Flat Me Project

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students write letters to penpals. For this geography/literacy lesson, students become penpals with a classroom in England to learn about customs and society across the ocean. Flat Stanley by Will Holton is read aloud, and students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Drifters

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean.  In this ocean drift activity students design a planktonic organism. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art/Ocean Scene

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students draw and color an ocean scene based on the paintings of Wyland. In this ocean art lesson plan, students view slides of seascapes before they complete their project using oil pastels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Careers Investigation

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students gather information about different careers of the Ocean Adventures expedition team.  In this career studies lesson students work in groups, read an interview with an Ocean Adventurer, and see the importance of working in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A WebQuest about Ocean

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the realm of an ocean through an ocean WebQuest. The Problem Based Learning Theory is used within this lesson. They complete several activities on the different concepts of oceans. Students are challenged to solve...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Grazers Conclusion

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students research an ocean species. In this science lesson, students create a research presentation as a conclusion to the ocean grazers unit. Students present their projects to the class and complete a self-reflection paper.
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Importance of Deep-Sea Ecosystems – How Diverse is That?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
When judging diversity of an ecosystem, both species evenness and species richness must contribute. After a discussion of diversity and a guided example using the Shannon-Weaver function, scholars use the same function on two other...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

That’s An Otter Story

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scientists discover how sea otters' habitats have changed due to human impact. Through conversation, video observation, and story reading, scholars identify how human interactions change a specific ecosystem in both positive and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blame It On El Nino

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study the weather phenomenon El Nino is and what causes it, and recognize how remote sensing technology can detect and predict El Nino. Students discover how El Nino affects weather conditions throughout the globe through research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Web of Life

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students participate in a game in which they discover the balance of life in the ocean. They identify different organisms that rely on different types of food. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Creatures of the Ocean

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine the characteristics of a specific ocean creature. In pairs, 2nd graders create a graphic organizer to list categories and supporting details of the ocean creature. Students review data and use it to write a report...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life on the Border

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss different types of boundaries. They research the United States/Mexico border and answer questions about their findings. They create collages, posters, or multimedia presentations showcasing various areas of concern...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Undersea Adventure

For Teachers K - 6th
Students research and demonstrate their knowledge of information about life and topography on the ocean floor. They experiment with and choose watercolor techniques to portray a vivid undersea setting using colors, textures, and shapes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protecting Philippine Reefs

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Learners watch a slide show about the Philippine Reefs to explore the topic of fish populations. In this reef and fish population lesson, students watch a slide show about fish populations and how the Peace Corps works...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Ocean Grazers

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore biology by creating a poster with classmates. In this oceanography lesson, students identify the importance of coral reefs to the ocean's ecology and examine a food web of ocean animals. Students define a list of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Race

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students play game simulating route turtle hatchlings take from clutch to ocean, and describe threats hatchlings face and how this affects the marine turtle population.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Salt Water Connection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the various factors that influence the Pacific Ocean and Monterey Bay, California. They watch a video about Monterey Bay and take notes, and conduct research and write a report about a specific organism living in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Human Impacts to the Sandy Shore

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate human impact on coastal environments. In this coastal environment lesson, students observe human impact on coastal environments. Students sort, classify, and chart marine debris collected on a local beach.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where in the World Is All the Water?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the distribution of the earth's water. They conduct a demonstration of water distribution, and create a pie graph to display the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Creatures in the Coral

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students describe unique adaptations of organisms that live in the coral reef habitat, read various books pertaining to coral reefs and ocean life, and construct a wheel demonstrating the relationships between certain coral reef...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Has the Data? Monitoring Coral Reefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars access data to characterize coral reefs. In this scientific research lesson, students access data and explain the need for such data when monitoring coral reefs. They will identify and explain three major threats to coral...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet the Corals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate the types of coral. In this oceanography lesson, students access the Fisheye View Cam Website and create their own coral garden by using various art supplies.