I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Discovery

Essential Question:

What may be some future uses of the world’s oceans?

Bridge:

Ocean Visuals

Content:

Oceans

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To review and determine prior student knowledge of ocean life. To encourage student interest in the ocean.

Activity: Using the movie, "The Little Mermaid" (Disney), show the clip featuring the song "Under the Sea." While watching the clip, students should identify examples of plant and animal life which they see. Lead the students in a discussion of ways the video clip is a true representation of the ocean. There should be no writing during this activity.

Assessment: Quality of discussion. Level of questioning and interest generated by the video

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To identify examples of ocean plant and animal life which the students recognize.

Activity: After watching the movie clip, students work in groups (or individually, based on teacher preference) to identify examples of the plant and animal life which they observed. These observations should be listed on chart paper for display purposes. This activity is to be timed, with a five minute limit.

Assessment: Student-generated charts of observations.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To provide opportunity for student transfer of knowledge of geographic features and the environment to identifying ocean location. To further develop student knowledge of ocean characteristics.

Activity: **Advance preparation: Teacher should write several scenarios describing divers who visit different bodies of water around the world. The scenarios should include a description of plant and animal life seen during the dives. They should also include a description of what the diver sees when he surfaces; i.e. palm trees, glaciers, etc.** Example scenario: While swimming through the crystal clear water, I noticed a school of multi-colored fish passing by. Large sea turtles paddled just below and above me. I tried to become as a statue in order that the squid and stringray which were just beyond my reach wouldn't notice my presence. After a few minutes of observing the beauty of my deep blue surroundings, I surfaced. As I looked around, I saw several playful porpoises leaping in the water. I tried to get closer, but they weren't interested in including me in their games. The warm sun beat down on me as I floated toward the sandy beach. Several palm trees swayed gently in the breeze. Can you identify the area I might be swimming in? What reasons can you give which would support your guess? (Possible answer - The Gulf of Mexico off the Florida west coast) Teacher reads the scenarios to the class. Based on prior knowledge of ocean locations, geographic characteristics, etc., students are to identify in what oceans the divers are swimming. This guided imagery activity should tie prior knowledge of the students to what they will be learning in the unit. Students choose one of the scenarios to illustrate.

Assessment: Quality of discussion. Student illustrations of the scenarios.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To clarify and reinforce student knowledge of the ocean. To teach and facilitate student discovery of new knowledge about ocean plant and animal life and future uses of the ocean.

Activity: Teacher directs instruction and activities to facilitate new learning. This includes lecture, student research and group projects. Instruction will focus on three areas:
ocean plant life
ocean animal life
future uses of the ocean

Lessons will include the use of media such as videos, films, laser disks, etc.

Assessment: Quality of student discussion and work.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To determine student understanding and mastery of learning concepts presented.

Activity: Students are to demonstrate understanding of the lesson concepts introduced using teacher prepared worksheets and tests and through student reports and group projects.

Assessment: Teacher prepared worksheets and tests. Quality of students' reports and projects. Author's Note: The "left-mode techniques" segments of Quadrants Two and Three will "swing back and forth" with students demonstrating understanding of each of the three topics in "2L" before moving on to the next step: the extension activities in Quadrant Three Right Mode.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: To personalize the learning by allowing students to select and complete projects in which they explore ocean life.

Activity: Students are to select three projects from the following nine offerings. The choices will be structured in such a way that every child will do at least one writing project and one fine arts project. 1. Draw, label, and color a poster of "Under the Sea." Include some of the plant and animal life you have learned about in this unit. 2. Prepare a chart comparing the four major oceans. Include: depth, area, temperature ranges, surrounding countries or continents. 3. You are a diver who is diving in a tropical area. Write a description of what you see below and above the ocean as you embark on this adventure. 4. Write and perform a rap or song about the ocean. 5. You have been hired to write an advertisement for a radio station. Your "ad" should convince people to take an ocean vacation. 6. Make a diarama showing ocean plant and animal life found in a South Pacific region. 7. You have just taken your first submarine ride. Write a letter to a friend telling them what it was like and some of the things you saw. 8. Make a diarama showing ocean plant and animal life found in the Arctic region. 9. Choose a vehicle which is used for transportation in the ocean. Draw a model of the vehicle and write a report about it.

Assessment: Quality of student projects (including selection, planning, and implementation of project choices).

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To work with students in analyzing projects for quality and level of application of new learning.

Activity: 1. The teacher and students are to work together to prepare a checklist for analyzing completed projects. The checklist should include specific application of the new learning. 2. Working in cooperative groups, students are to analyze their projects.

Assessment: Quality of student work. Transfer of new learning to student projects.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To allow students to share completed projects. To transfer knowledge of the ocean to the concept of discovery.

Activity: Students are to present projects which have been completed individually and in groups. The teacher is to conduct a class "reflections" activity in which students compare their knowledge of oceans to the overall topic of "Discovery."

Assessment: Student presentations of projects. Quality of discussion (reflections).

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: