Grade Level: 6-8 grade
Content Area: Language Arts, Art, Science
Concepts: Introduction to the Ocean.
Phase One: Individual Ocean Webbing
Goals: Students will individually brainstorm current knowledge of the ocean by creating a web.
Materials: writing tool
paperchalkboard
sample concept web
Time: 30-45 minutes
Procedure:
1. Students and teacher will perform a sample web on the chalkboard to demonstrate how a web should look
2. Ask some questions to help students begin thinking about ocean concepts. Some possible questions include:
a. What animals are found in the ocean?b. What plants are found in the ocean?
c. What is the ocean used for?
d. What are the names of some oceans?
3. Students will create a web surrounding the theme ocean on paper.
4. Students will get into groups of 2 and share their webs.
5. Keep finished web in ocean folder (to be created in phase three).
Assessment: The student will have created a web with their current knowledge of the ocean. This will be collected and placed in the ocean folder for future evaluation. Did the student complete the assignment or not? (yes or no)
Goals:
1. Students will discover new information about the ocean from A to Z through Internet sites and library resources.
2. Students will be able to teach their findings to the class through a short oral presentation and add their information to the bulletin board.
Materials: waves with A-Z on a bulletin board or classroom wall.
computers with Internet accessschool library or local library with books, magazines, journals, etc.
markers
list of resources (see attachment)
Time: 3 to 3.5 hours
Procedure:
1. The teacher should create a bulletin board of waves. On the crest of each wave he/she should place one letter of the alphabet on that wave. This will be used later in discussion of findings of the ocean.
2. Students will assemble in groups of two for research. Each group will be given two letters of the alphabet. Give each group a less difficult letter such as A along with a more difficult letter such as X.
3. Students will find words associated with the ocean that begin with the letters they were given.
4. Students will state a fact or concept about the words they find. Later, they will use these facts and concepts to teach the class about the letters they were given.
5. Students will be led to the computer lab for the first hour and a half to research the list of Internet resources that is provided.
6. Students will then be led to the library to conduct further research
7. Students will return to the classroom to teach the class what they found through a short oral presentation.
8. Students will then place their findings A-Z on the wave bulletin board.
Assessment: Students will be successful if 10 words associated with their letters are located and explained.
Extension: For grade 6 provide a list of resources which is included as an attachment. For grade 8 allow the students to be more responsible for finding their own resources and list the resources on the A-Z guide. To further motivate students, award the group with the most words with something such as a candy bar.
Goals:
1. Students will create an ocean folder in which students will keep all of their information related to the ocean.
Materials: magazines
scissorstape
glue
construction paperback T
markers
file folders
Time: 2 hours
Procedure:
1. Students will cut words, pictures, and phrases from magazines to design a folder.
2. Students can create/draw objects that are difficult to find.
Assessment: A successful folder should accurately depict ocean concepts (yes or no).