Grades K–3: Reading/Language Arts Fish Stories
Children will use their imaginations and what they've learned about
fish to create their own entry in a fishing contest. Fantastic
Fishing Contest
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/fishing.html
Grades 1-3: Science Underwater Food Chain
Have students create a hanging display showing three levels of a basic
marine food chain. Ocean Food
Links
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/ocean_food.html
Grades 1–3: Science Shark Game
Children will practice their observational skills and reinforce their
familiarity with different types of fish while creating their own card
game. Shark Surprise!
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/shark.html
Grades 1–4: Science/Art Ocean Animals Calendar
Have students color a calendar featuring ocean animals and learn more
about marine life.
Watery World Calendar 2002: EnchantedLearning.com
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/2002wateryworld/
Grades 3–4: Science/Art Paper Whale
Students will enjoy making a whale using the traditional Japanese
origami method.
Origami Whale Craft - Enchanted Learning Software
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/origami/whale/
Grades 3–5: Science/Art Life of a Fish
Have students illustrate and sequence the life cycle of Pacific
Salmon. Life Cycle of
the Pacific Salmon
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/salmon.html
Grades 3–5: Science/Math Salmon Math
Students will learn about salmon while they solve a story problem
about a fish that didn't get away. Only The
Strong Survive
http://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/puffy/page10.html
Grades 3–5: Math/Science How It Adds Up...
Have your students use basic mathematical operations to gain a deeper
understanding of the effects of overfishing on a threatened species,
the Patagonian toothfish (also known as the Chilean sea bass). What
Happened to the Patagonian Toothfish?
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/bass_math.html
Grades 4–6: Science Sharks!
Can your students distinguish between a shark and a ray? Have them
compare and contrast two diagrams to learn the difference. Ponder
This: Is It a Shark or Is It a Ray?
http://www.sdnhm.org/kids/sharks/andrays2.html
Grades 4–8: Science/Language Arts Humpback Whales
Students will explore whale adaptations, behavior, migration, habitat,
communication, and interactions with humans. Then they will present
their findings. Search for
the Humpback Whale
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/humpback.html
Grades 5–8: Science Looking for Whales
Have students go on a virtual boat trip in search of killer whales. The Orientation
http://www.whalewatch.ca/tour/orientat.htm
Resources
Grades K–8: Science Sea Salt
The ocean is a major source of salt for both commercial and home use.
Have students “harvest” salt by dissolving a small amount of salt
water (either actual ocean water or water to which regular table salt
has been added) in a cup or on a sheet of black construction paper.
Discuss the results with students.
Grades 1–2: Math Fishy Numbers
Have students identify and count different types of fish. Help
The Observer Count Fish
http://www.education.noaa.gov/books/puffy/page9.html
Grades 1–8: Science Ocean Collections
Have students bring in seashells or other ocean-related items to
class. Provide students with dictionaries, encyclopedias, or other
reference sources. Have students place each item on an index card or
piece of paper. Then have students label the item with both the common
and scientific name, where it was found, and other relevant data. You
might want to have students categorize items and then organize a
classroom display.
Grades 3–5: Science/Social Studies/Language Arts Ocean Stationery
Create a bulletin board of thank-you notes to the sea for its many
gifts. Have students choose an ocean resource to research such as food
(fish, seaweed), minerals (salt, oil), precious objects (pearls, gold,
silver). Then have students write several details describing the item,
its use, and its value to people. Have students include a message
expressing appreciation.
Ocean Stationery: Black and White With Lines (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_bw_stn.pdf
Ocean Stationery: Black and White Without Lines (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_bw_nl_stn.pdf
Ocean Stationery: Color With Lines (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_clr_stn.pdf
Ocean Stationery: Color Without Lines (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_clr_nl_stn.pdf
Grades 3–5: Math Tag It!
Scientists can't count every fish in the sea, so they rely on tagging
and estimating. Have students practice this method using painted
pennies. Activities: How
Many Fish Are in the Sea?
http://www.neaq.org/scilearn/kids/fish.html
Grades 4–8: Science Seaweed Cuisine
Seaweed can be found in many common foods (ice cream, cheese,
chocolate milk, dessert mixes, etc.). Have students read the labels of
three or more food items found in their home cupboards, and see if any
contain ocean seaweeds.
There Are Algae in Your House!
http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/education_lesson1.html
Grades 5–8: Science Ocean Ecology
Have students work in pairs to create posters that show what people
can do to protect and preserve the oceans.
Save the Oceans Poster
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2078.shtml
Grade 8: Science/Social Studies Ocean Productivity
Images taken from space give scientists important data about ocean
productivity. Have students learn why the ocean is blue and locate the
ocean's most productive areas. SeaWiFS
Project: the Wild Blue Wonder
http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/seawifs/phyto4.htm
Exploration
Grades 3–5: Science Sea Gear
Have students make a primitive, but effective, water exploration tool:
an underwater scope. Adult supervision is recommended.
The Big Blue Bus - The Sandbox - Experiments - Underwater Scope!
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/bbb-lgb/sandbox-sabliere/
experiments-experiences/scope-loupe_e.asp
Grades 3–8: Social Studies Ocean Time
Have students create a timeline of ocean exploration that occurred
from 5000 BCE to the present. You can extend the
activity by having students add dates and data from their own
research. Sea and Sky: Ocean
Exploration Timeline
http://www.seasky.org/oceanxp/sea5a.html
Topography
Grades K–2: Art/Science Undersea World
Children will create an undersea environment in their classroom while
researching interesting facts about their favorite sea creatures. Under the Sea
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/under.html
Grades K–2: Art Glue Grit
Have students create beach art using nothing more than sand and glue.
Have students draw an ocean-themed picture using glue from a bottle
with a tip. Then have students sprinkle plain or colored sand over the
glue. Students can add descriptive words or dictate a story about
their picture. Let it dry overnight.
Grades 3–8: Science Model Vents
Sea vents are a newly discovered feature of the ocean floor. Have
students discover the science behind this phenomenon as they make a
model vent using hot and cold water. Activities:
Make your own deep-sea vent!
http://www.neaq.org/scilearn/kids/seavent.html
Grades 4–8: Science Moving Mountains
The science of plate tectonics accounts for the constant shifting of
the ocean floor. Have students see firsthand the results of pushing
and pulling virtual plates. A Science
Odyssey: You Try It: Plate Tectonics
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/tectonics/#
Grades 5–6: Science/Art Coral Reef Mural
In this lesson, students will learn about coral reefs by creating a
classroom mural.
Into the Spectacular Sea
http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/teach/into_the_sea.html
Grades : 6–8 Science/Social Studies Tabletop Tsunamis
Students build a tabletop village and use it to visualize the relative
height and effects of tsunamis. Monster Waves
http://www.eduplace.com/activity/monster.html
Grade 8: Science/Math Ocean Mapping
Have students explore depth sounding by constructing and mapping the
ocean floor.
Fathometer in a Box (PDF file)
http://topex-www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/activities/ts2meac1.pdf
Other Activities
Grades K–2: Science/Art Saltwater Paintings
Students will enjoy painting with colored “ocean water.” Materials
needed include water, salt, food coloring, and paper. Mix 1/4 cup warm
water with 6 teaspoons salt and 3 drops of food coloring in a small
container. Then have students paint pictures with the mixture on white
paper. Let the paper dry. After the water evaporates, the colored salt
creates a textured picture.
Grades 1–4: Science/Art See No Trash
Have students learn about ocean pollution as they color and collate a
picture book.
International Year of the Ocean - Marine Debris - Page 3
http://www.education.noaa.gov/books/debris/debris3.htm
Grades 1–8: Science Freezing Waters
Have students explore the science behind freezing plain water and
salty water. Conduct a simple experiment by having students fill three
small containers with water. Then have students add a pinch of salt to
one container and a tablespoon of salt to a second. Leave the third
container salt free. Finally, have students label containers and
freeze overnight. Discuss the results and explain that salt lowers the
freezing point and is behind the reason that ocean water usually does
not freeze.
Grades 1–8: Science Quizzes
Test students' knowledge about the ocean.
Who Lives in the Ocean? (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_1-2_quiz.pdf
Who Lives in the Ocean? Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_1-2_quiz_key.pdf
Sea Creatures (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_3-5_quiz.pdf
Sea Creatures Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_3-5_quiz_key.pdf
Under the Sea (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_6-8_quiz.pdf
Under the Sea Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_6-8_quiz_key.pdf
Grades 2–8: Language Arts/Science Word Finds
Have students find words related to oceans hidden in a puzzle.
The Ocean (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_easy_wf.pdf
The Ocean Answer Key (grades 1–2) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_easy_wf_key.pdf
Marine Life (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_med_wf.pdf
Marine Life Answer Key (grades 3–5) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_med_wf_key.pdf
The Ocean (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_hard_wf.pdf
The Ocean Answer Key (grades 6–8) (PDF file)
http://www.eduplace.com/monthlytheme/february/pdf/oceans_hard_wf_key.pdf
Grades 2–8: Language Arts/Science Ahoy, Mate!
Have students say hello to friends and family ashore with an
ocean-related e-card. Undersea E-CARDS
http://webworld98.com/undersea.htm
Grades 3–8: Science Ask a Scientist
NASA's TOPEX/POSEIDON mission is studying the ocean from space. Have
students brainstorm a list of questions they have about the mission.
Then select the best question to pose to a scientist. TOPEX/POSEIDON
“Ask a Scientist”
http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/topex/tpask.html
Grade 6–8: Science Food Chain
In this activity, students will determine the sequential links in a
marine food chain, identify the roles that various organisms play in
this chain, and develop charts as visual aids for illustrating marine
food chains.
Secrets of the Ocean Realm - In the School “Survival in the Sea”
http://www.pbs.org/oceanrealm/intheschool/school2.html
Grade 6–8: Science Keeping Warm
In this activity, students will learn about the whale's layer of
insulating fat, known as blubber; conduct a simple experiment to test
the effectiveness of fat as an insulator; and discuss how humans use
insulating materials to protect themselves from cold exposure.
Secrets of the Ocean Realm - In the School “The Great Whales”
http://www.pbs.org/oceanrealm/intheschool/school5.html
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has
more than 30 individual sites designed for educational use. Topics
include marine careers, reefs, fish, marine mammals, coasts,
navigation, exploration, habitats, and much more.
Ocean Planet, created by the Smithsonian Institute, has six
online lesson plans. “Sea Secrets” explores ocean geography. “Sea
Connections” looks at the plants and animals that live in
different marine ecosystems. “Ocean Market” identifies and
evaluates many products of the seas. “Pollution Solution” examines
the effects of an environmental crisis. “Stranded Along the Coast”
explores both natural and human causes of animal strandings.
Finally, “Reflections on the Sea” explores the influence of oceans
on language and literature.
If you have a question about fish (no matter what the
question!), it's probably answered here. The site is sponsored by
the Northeast Fisheries Science Center.
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Massachusetts
operates a deep submergence vehicle called “Alvin.” Here you can
follow Alvin's exploration and research findings.
