Encourage tinkering with ideas, relationships, connections. Set up situations where students have to find information not readily available in school texts. Provide opportunity for students to design open-ended explorations of the concept. Provide multiple options so students can plan a unique "proof" of learning.

Writing and fine arts projects

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).