Curated OER
Fish Eyes - More than Meets the Eye
Inform your class about the adaptations in fish eyes: cones, lens size, endothermy, and speed of vision. The adaptations are related to diving behavior. Junior marine scientists compare the adaptations of four different fish species to...
Monterey Bay Aquarium
What's in a Name?
Combine art and word analysis in a lesson about genus and species. Elementary children sleuth out the meaning of scientific names for a number of shark species using a prefix and suffix definition chart. They then draw an image of the...
Curated OER
The Chesapeake Bay in Captain John Smith's Time
When Captain John Smith visited the Chesapeake Bay in the summer of 1608, what types of animals and habitats did he encounter? Your young historians will analyze primary source documents to answer this question, as well as compare the...
Curated OER
See Turtles Nest! See Turtles Hatch!
Students graph data of sea turtles hatching rates from Watamu/Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve in Kenya. In this math instructional activity, students use real life science data to calculate mean and median values. Students use...
Curated OER
Pollution Solution
Students explore the topic of oil pollution and how it affects the global ocean. They discuss oil spills in recent history and use problem solving skills to decide what strategies could be used to actually clean up an oil spill. Students...
Curated OER
Empty Oceans
In groups of four, pupils brainstorm about seafood. They view the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website to examine the problems caused by the seafood industry. Learners are then brought back together to discuss what they...
Curated OER
Plant Explorers
Students investigate how plants take in water, nutrients, and light. They create artwork showing how plants survive in different environments.
Curated OER
Ocean Animals - A Kindergarten Research Project
Something’s fishy! Assign each of your pupils an individual sea creature and investigate the oceans. Young oceanographers utilize Kidspiration software to research a creature, illustrate an image, and create fact cards about their...
Curated OER
Oceans in Motion
This simple lesson introduces children to basic marine life as well as to show them the necessity of protecting aquatic environments. Some famous marine life animals are introduced via vocabulary words, then children cut out pictures of...
Curated OER
A Sea Turtle Experience
Students observe live green sea turtles and use their imagination to form questions about the animals. They present these questions to their teacher. Students then complete the activity sheets highlighting sea turtle biology and...
Curated OER
Animal Habitats
Students study the word habitat and its meaning. They also identify that in order for something to be classified as a habitat there needs to be the proper shelter, food, water, and space.
Curated OER
Mallard Ducks
First graders discuss the habitat and needs of a Mallard duck. In this instructional activity on ducks, 1st graders examine what a Mallard ducks needs to survive and the wetland habitat that the duck is usually found in.
Curated OER
Search for the Humpback Whale
Learners work in teams to research and explore whale adaptations, behavior, migration, habitat, communication, and interactions with humans and present their findings.
Curated OER
Forest Animals
Students explore forest animals and their habitats. In this animal habitat lesson, students draw a forest on white paper and glue pictures of animals that roam in the forest
Curated OER
Get Out in the Field
Students visit a shoreline--of an ocean, a lake, a pond, a riverbank, etc., survey it and record what they find there. They map the shoreline and surrounding area and conclude where potential waterfront projects could occur.
Curated OER
How do living and non-living structures affect coral reef habitats?
Students create model coral reefs showing surface area and including examples of communities. In this coral reef lesson, students research and explore the functions or benefits from a coral reef. Students design a benthic habitat....
Curated OER
Architects of Seamount Ecosystems
Students, in groups, research one of the families of habitat-forming deep-sea corals. They prepare a report that includes information about the coral family, as well as how its existence affects other species, including humans.
Curated OER
Oceans-Coral Reefs
Second graders investigate coral reefs. In this oceanology activity, 2nd graders discuss what constitutes a coral reef and the wildlife that lives there. Students watch a video about coral reefs and take an online quiz.
Curated OER
Sea and Ice Salinity
Young scholars conduct an experiment. In this salinity lesson plan, students learn about sea ice, why it is important and how changing amounts can affect the sea. Young scholars conduct an experiment to find out the effects of salinity...
Curated OER
What's Down There
Students write an essay about the coral reefs. In this oceanography instructional activity, students investigate the reef of Bonaire and compare it to reefs that are not thriving. Students then explore the differences that contribute...
Curated OER
Habitats
Second graders identify characteristics of various habitats. For this habitats lesson, 2nd graders read Where the Forest Meets the Sea and Swimmy to identify the settings of different habitats. Students construct murals of different...
Curated OER
A Piece of Cake
Students examine life under the sea to discover coral gardens and microhabitats. They demonstrate learning by creating an edible marine ecosystem with a sheet cake, icing, and different candies.
Curated OER
The Gulf of Maine
Students examine the effect of limiting factors, especially when it comes to human beings. They examine data from the Gulf of Maine area.
Curated OER
Species on the Edge
Students describe factors negatively affecting population of sea turtles, and identify and discuss action that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate threats to sea turtles and other endangered species.