Open Ocean Lesson Plans

Learners review the three different marine environments: coral reefs, open ocean and bottom ocean. They create large dioramas of these environments using larger moving and appliance boxes.

Students study the three zones of the open ocean. In this ocean lesson, students research the three zones of the open ocean, identify the different types of animals in each zone, and write a descriptive paragraph based on their research. They listen to "Sea Creatures" as the teacher reads it using the digital projector, complete independent Internet research, and use a rubric as they write a their descriptive paragraphs.

Third graders discuss salmon and their life cycle.  In this salmon life cycle lesson, 3rd graders recognize the difficulties researching the life cycle of salmon as they migrate.  Students conduct an experiment and create a game.

Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean.  In this ocean drift lesson plan students design a planktonic organism. 

Learners pick an ecosystem (forest, desert, coral reef, open ocean, grassland, mountain, savanna, etc.) and design an interaction web for their chosen ecosystem. Each group shares their ecosystem's web of life with the class.

Learners identify the different layers of the open ocean. For this oceanography lesson, students study the website, "The Living Sea" and read the book Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor. Learners create an ocean mobile from various art supplies.

Students examine how scientists conduct pelagic research and identify pelagic predators as they study the open-ocean ecosystem. They discuss and conduct small group research of this environment in order to produce a presentation.

Students explore relict species. In this ancialine cave lesson, students identify relict species associated with anchialine caves, and explain the importance of preserving anchialine caves and species.

Students classify living things according to their characteristics and functions. They observe living things grow, move, use food, and adapt to changes around them. As the students work through the subtasks in this unit, they make connections between the natural and human effects on living species.

How does the formation of currents and waves in the ocean happen? High schoolers will learn about the primary causes for ocean currents and waves by calculating a wave's amplitude and nautical mile speed. Then they will complete a problem solving worksheet. Finally, they will complete the study with write an essay how the Coriolis force affects them personally.