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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Effects on Inshore Plankton

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the effects of urban pollution on plankton. In this plankton and pollution lesson plan, students use samples of plankton collected in urban areas to observe the effects of pollution on plankton samples. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plankton

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how to collect plankton and use microscopes to observe and identify it. They collect the plankton sample and classify the various components of the plankton. Students identify organisms in the plankton and draw...
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Lesson Plan
University of California

Plankton

For Teachers 4th - 12th Standards
Plankton: so much more than just a SpongeBob character. Three different activities have kids looking at both phytoplankton and zooplankton in pictures, as well as collecting their own samples (depending on your access to a saltwater...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

A Survey of Plankton Communities

For Students 9th - 10th
In this biology worksheet, students identify and define the vocabulary terms listed and make a prediction about the outcomes of the experiment. Then they complete the chart of the observations of the plankton diversity in drops of pond...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plankton Parade

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Plankton isn't just a tiny cartoon character, it's also a very important food source for animals around the world. Budding scientists discuss the types and functions of plankton, including where they are found, how they are caught, and...
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Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Plankton Parents

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Plankton are so abundant in the ocean they outweigh all of the animals in the sea. In this three day activity, groups discuss and become familiar with plankton, capture females, and look for egg production on day three. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pond Water

For Teachers 3rd - 9th
Students explore a creek environment. They make observations, identify the living and nonliving factors in the environment and collect a plankton sample to take back to the classroom. In addition, they look at plankton under a microscope.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Plankton of Tyson Lagoon

For Students 4th - 8th
In this plankton key activity, students use drawings of phytoplankton and zooplankton to identify macro- invertebrates, diatoms and algae from a pond water sample.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Clear Water mean Healthy Water?

For Teachers 5th - 9th Standards
Learners test their local aquatic site to determine its water clarity. They collect a water sample and measure its turbidity using a sensor, then they repeat the experiment to obtain a second turbidity reading to find the average value.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Big Is A Humpback Whale?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore humpback whales. In this humpback whale lesson, students determine the actual size of humpback whales and use diagrams to identify the major features of the humpback whale.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Blobs of Jelly!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain how zoo-plankton have an impact on the global process.  In this ocean zoo-plankton lesson students calculate carbon flux and plankton densities. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Pond Water Survey

For Students 5th - 10th
For this pond ecosystem worksheet, students observe different species of plankton found in a pond water sample. They draw pictures of 5 specimens then describe them in detail.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make and Use a Plankton Net

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students make simple plankton nets and use them to collect and identify common forms of plankton. They identify and interpret plankton, as seen under a microscope, whether there was more zooplankton or phytoplankton. Finally, students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taking Action

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students use the net they make to dip macroinvertebrates at or below the surface. The flat side of the net allows pressure on the substrate so that organisms do not escape under the net. Two students hold onto the handles and submerge...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biological Sampling Device Using a Sea Perch

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students construct plankton nets to be towed and collect specimens to be examined and analyzed in the classroom. They develop research skills through collection of an aquatic sample. They write lab reports after interpreting, identifying...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Does Your (Coral) Garden Grow?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Analyze and graph oxygen isotope ratios in coral samples in relation to the distance from the outer skeleton edge. Compare the data to the mean monthly water temperatures. Uncover whether or not there is any correlation. In addition to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Means Water Environment

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners investigate pH levels in bodies of water and experiment with acid/base reactions. In this water and pH lesson, students observe changes in pH levels of a sample solution and observe a Bronsted-Lowry reaction. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Diverse Life Forms of the Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils recognize marine organisms and differentiate between plankton and nekton.  In this investigative instructional activity students create a concept map using their list of terms and study marine life forms. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Monitoring of Natural Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students set up their own monitoring system. They collect samples from an appropriate sampling site. They analyze data and determine the water quality. They present their information to the class and draw a conclusion.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keep Away

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Study biological diversity by analyzing given data, and make inferences about the possible effects of oil drilling operations on specific benthic communities. This lesson allows students to use their statistical analysis skills asweel as...
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PPT
Curated OER

The Blue Mud Shrimp Mystery - Newport, Oregon

For Teachers 7th - 8th
In 2003, there was an unprecedented decline in the population of Blue Mud Shrimp up in Oregon. This presentation gives many of the facts, and theories that were developed as to why the population took such a dive. Excellent photographs...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phytoplankton and Ocean Color

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Web of Life Game: Trout

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore the concept of food webs.  In this food web lesson, students demonstarte the connection between species.  Students use a ball of string show how the food web works, then have a class discussion. 
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Lesson Plan
NorthEast Ohio Geoscience Education Outreach

Carbon Cycle

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Using a jigsaw approach, earth science experts teach each other about the physical, biological, and geologic components of the carbon cycle, with a specific focus on the ocean.