This document targets upper elementary and middle school students and provides activities to understand what the ocean floor looks like, the interactions of ocean communities, and the true nature of sharks. The activities are developed at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. The twelve activities include: (1) "Ocean…

This guide, designed for students in grades 3-7, answers intriguing questions about phytoplankton, tiny drifters that have shaped our world. Invisible to the naked eye, phytoplankton are the source of our atmosphere, our climate, our ocean food chain, much of our oil supply, and more. They're also food for zooplankton. Photomicroscopy serves up…

Presents a science activity that is a combination of guided-inquiry and open-inquiry in which students investigate crayfish. (YDS)

Discusses development and use of an aquatic studies conceptual scheme which has been used in the Project COAST (Coastal, Oceanic and Aquatic Studies) at the University of Delaware. Sample concepts and results from field testing of the curriculum are included. (DH)

The goal of this teacher guide is to promote education by providing resources and information to aid classroom teachers in using the Oregon Zoo as an educational setting. The unit also emphasizes the integration of science, mathematics, reading, writing, speaking, and problem solving. It is designed for grades 3-5 and is based on the Oregon State…

This book is an inquiry- and discovery-based teacher's guide. The interesting and fun activities in this teacher's guide meet the challenge of relating tiny, microscopic organisms to the lives of children. The inquiry-based activities range from designing and making a phytoplankter and collecting phytoplankton to designing an experiment for…

Uses materials collected from the seashore to stimulate students and recommends bringing materials to the classroom instead of trying to take students to the seashore, which may not be suitable for children with physical disabilities. (YDS)

Presents a collection of activities to help elementary students study ocean ecology. The activities have students investigate ocean inhabitants, analyze animal adaptations, examine how temperature and saltiness affect ocean creatures, and learn about safeguarding the sea. Student pages offer reproducible learning sheets. (SM)

Describes an innovative, interdisciplinary science program at the Middle School of the Kennebunks, Kennebunk, Maine, which involves students gathering and analyzing data on the ecosystem of a nearby island and the surrounding ocean, as well as the Kennebunk River. Projects have combined scientific study with local history and town planning. (MDM)

Students learn about marine food chains, bioaccumulation, the energy pyramid, and potential ocean pollutants and their effects on ocean ecosystems in this activity which involves having students pull drawings of marine organisms which include diatoms, copepods, anchovies, bonito, and killer whale out of a bag, then demonstrating the food chain by…

Ecosystem contrasts between the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky coast of Maine are the focus of this instructional resource. The publication, issued four times a year, explores single topics through an interdisciplinary, multicultural approach. The activities presented in this issue encourage students to consider the role of temperature,…

Describes a program utilizing grant money for a marine education project in a Floridian coastal elementary school. (PR)

This classroom activity introduces the concept of sustainable development by illustrating how cooperative behavior between people competing for limited resources can benefit all involved. Students thumb-wrestle for candies and cooperating students can get more candy by taking turns as partners rather than competing as opponents. Offers extension…

Discusses the use of literature webs in teaching marine concepts. Includes examples and strategies based on "Thy Friend, Obadiah," a picture storybook for children up to grade four. Examples relate to literacy awareness, art awareness, drama, personal response, writing, social studies, and science. Also includes a list of related…

Presented is a discussion on why people should study whales. Background information, learning activities appropriate for different subject areas, and whale-related teaching materials are included. (DC)