Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Easy as Pi

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe the importance of structural features that increase surface area in a coral reef habitat.  In this investigative lesson students quantify the impact of modifications on surface area in model habitats. 
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Limu Diversity

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore limu diversity. In this ocean ecosystem lesson, students classify limu according to its physical properties. Young scholars work in small groups to generate scientific observations and sort limu by characteristics.
Worksheet
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The Excretory System

For Students 8th - 9th
In this excretory system worksheet, students read a brief excerpt about water balance and the excretory system. Then they identify what compound birds, insects and reptiles living in dry habitats excrete. Students also describe how...
Worksheet
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Climatic Changes

For Students 6th - 8th
For this weather worksheet, students read an excerpt describing the climate and extinction. Then they explain what the climate was like during the Age of Dinosaurs. Students also determine some factors that affected the climate during...
Lesson Plan
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Estuaries, Estuarine Habitats, and Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers conduct research on estuaries. They design and construct an estuary, describe the physical characteristics of an estuary, and create a diagram illustrating an estuarine food web.
Lesson Plan
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Adaptations

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students identify what adaptation is and to research a specific mollusk. They also identify and interpret how animals get their common and scientific name and why it is Latin. Finally, students draw their shell (mollusk) and name their...
Lesson Plan
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How Are Open Ocean Organisms Structured for Their Environment?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore biology by conducting an animal dissection. For this oceanography lesson, students identify the life cycle of a squid and other animals that are involved with commercial fishing. Students dissect a squid in class and...
Lesson Plan
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Tracking Narwhals in Greenland The Ocean Unicorn

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners study the ecology, habitats, geographic range and feeding habits of narwhals. They determine at least three reasons for the decline in the narwhal populations and complete the accompanying worksheets.
Lesson Plan
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The Chesapeake Bay in Captain John Smith's Time

For Teachers 4th - 5th Standards
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...
Lesson Plan
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Marine Ecosystems

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify producers and consumers and construct a food chain from four marine ecosystems. They describe the delicate balance among organisms in each environment. In groups, students discuss the human activities that upset the...
Lesson Plan
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A Lesson in Biodiversity: Making Comparisons Between Defensive Mechanisms Utilized by Marine Organisms

For Teachers 5th - 8th
If your upper elementary or middle school marine biology learners are going to visit an aquarium, then here is a field trip activity guide for you. It is written specifically for The Maritime Aquarium, but the idea can be adapted to...
Lesson Plan
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Feeding in the Flow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a tremendous library of ocean-themed lessons that can be used in a variety of science settings. "Feeding in the Flow" is one of those activities; Its focus is on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Five

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study ocean habitats and create a habitat zone replica.  In this ocean habitat lesson students design and construct their own unique habitat.
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Marine Policy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Save the oceans! The 22nd installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program focuses on laws and marine policy. Pupils take part in an activity investigating fisheries stock data.
Lesson Plan
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Predator Protector Game

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students take on the role of an Ocean Adventures expedition volunteer member and are charged with protecting three species of sharks from danger in order to defend the balance of nature in the ecosystem. They play an online game which...
Lesson Plan
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Animal Habitats

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students research an animal and their habitat. In this animal habitat lesson, students observe a WebQuest that describes the different habitats: deserts, tundra, rainforest, forest, and ocean. They determine which habitat their animal...
Lesson Plan
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Habitats and Adaptations

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students research and describe the habitat and adaptations of a reef animal. After the student is assigned a habitat, they design and draw a cresture adapted to eat each food and to live in each habitat.
Lesson Plan
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Life on the Hardbottom

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students find similarities and differences between a biotrope habitat and an ecosystem.  In this hardbottom biotrope instructional activity, students research and respond to inquiry questions about a biotrope.  Students...
Lesson Plan
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Boom and Bust

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate commercial fishery. In this fishery lesson, students describe stages in commercial fishery, interpret data and predict when a fisher stock is showing signs of overexploitation.
Lesson Plan
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Species on the Edge

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
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Changing With the Tide

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students describe three different aspects or life forms of the salt marsh. They compare and contrast the low and high marsh. Students explain what happens in different areas of the marsh at low and high tide; and explain the roles...
Lesson Plan
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How do living and non-living structures affect coral reef habitats?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Getting Food

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners complete activities to learn about the ocean food web. In this ocean life lesson, students discuss how the tides affect feeding, learn about filter feeders, grazers, predators, and scavengers. Learners then group the animals...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Reefs

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students research an inhabitant of a Caribbean coral reef using a list of common organisms that live on or near it. Students then write a description of their organism and draw a picture or a 3-D model of it. Eventually they all work...