Curated OER
Orca Search
Students conduct a variety of research activities to widen their knowledge about Orca Whales. They compile their research into a paper.
Curated OER
Whale Fast Food Conversions
Students calculate feeding rates of whales and compare this to the feeding rates of humans.
Curated OER
Orca Search: Step 5 Research Report
Young scholars report their Orca research to the rest of the class choosing from a variety of formats. They touch on basic orca statistics, whales in captivity and their own opinions on this issue.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Whales in the Making
This graphic from Evolution, traces the evolution of whales from land-dwelling mammals to the aquatic creatures we know today. A PDF is included that diagrams the evolutionary process that is believed to have taken place.
Tramline
Tramline, Inc.: Virtual Ocean Field Trip
In this enchanting site, students will learn basic principles about oceans and will be introduced to an assortment of sea life, both plant and animal. Other interesting ocean links can be found on the teacher resource section of this link.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Use Dna Sequencing to Trace the Blue Whale's Evolutionary Tree
Around 50 million years ago, the mammalian ancestor of today's whales returned to the ocean. In this genomics science fair project, you will use mitochondrial protein sequencing to trace the evolution of whales and identify their closest...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: Tale of a Whale and Why It Can Be Told
Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students work like marine biologists studying the North Atlantic right whale. As part of this learning exercise, students will research field photographs of one of these...
Canadian Wildlife Federation
Hinterland Who's Who: Bowhead Whale
Get the facts about Bowhead whales. Besides finding detailed physical descriptions of these mammals of the sea, you'll also learn about some of their unique facts and characteristics. Also included in this Mammal Fact Sheet on Bowhead...
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Animal Behavior: Beluga
Detailed information about the physical characteristics, behavior, life cycle, distribution, habitat, etc. of the beluga whale.
NOAA
Noaa: Pmel: Acoustic Monitoring, Bioacoustics
Outlines the National Marine Mammal Laboratory's project studying whale acoustics (the sounds whales make). Links to clear acoustics tutorial. Also includes whale biology, with acoustic descriptions and sound clips of their calls. Very...
Royal British Colombia Museum (Canada)
Whale Tails
A comprehensive site that looks at the varied species of whales.
Smithsonian Institution
Tween Tribune: Whales Reappear in Long Island Sound
Article reports on the return of whales of varies species to the waters off of Long Island.
DOGO Media
Dogo News: Quest to Seek Out "World's Loneliest Whale"
Read how scientists are working to track a whale who sings at a pitch too high to be heard by other whales, which has resulted in it being named the "World's Loneliest Whale." Includes video.
Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum: Mammals
This is the opening page for an online exhibit on mammals. The topics covered in this exhibit include whales, dolphins, bats, humans, chimps, and more.
Other
Commonwealth of Antarctica: Classroom Antarctica
The focus of this site is Antarctica. Designed for fifth- through eighth-grade students, this site contains detailed lesson plans, learning activities, digital images, and links to related resources.
Other
Wheelock College: Welcome to Whale Net
Students and teachers will love investigating this whale of a resource! Lesson plans, activities, and some impressive stories of satellite tagging make this award-winning site. Find out about Erden Eruc, a man from Seattle who has given...
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Week of 8 18 14: Sea World to Redesign Whale Tank
Learn about the larger tanks that SeaWorld has promised to create for the killer whales it houses.
Scholastic
Scholastic News: Week of 4 14 14: Good News for Whales
Learn about the changes happening in Japan that will help protect whales.
Sea World Parks & Entertainment
Sea World: Animal Information Database
Sea World's site featuring a variety of information about their animals, as well as general animal information. Includes "Animal Bytes," a list of animals with some of their characteristics. Also includes some games and teacher resources.
BBC
Bbc Newsround: Five Animals That Have Inspired Technology
Read about the influence five animals--kingfishers, whales, geckos, dogs and sharks--have had on modern technology.
National Geographic Kids
National Geographic Kids: Animals: Blue Whales
Do you know that the blue whale is the largest animal to ever live on Earth? Take an exciting look at this mammal with easy to read facts including habitat, appearance, young, mating, diet, enemies, as well as colorful photos. Links to...
Sea World Parks & Entertainment
Sea World: Beluga Whales
An easy to read look at all aspects relating to the beluga whale. The menu bar lists all of the main topics including appearance, habitat, behavior, diet, young, communication, conservation, reproduction, and more. Useful for elementary...