*Author Information:
Name: Kelly Meadows
Email Address:
School: Barkley Bridge Elementary
School System: Hartselle City
*Title: The Ocean Floor
*Overview/Annotation: Students will learn about parts of the ocean including the beach, ocean ridge, continental shelf, and trenches. Also, students will research the internet for information on the ocean floor and animals of the ocean. Students will recreate the ocean floor using the own creativity.
*Content Standards:
Course of Study: Alabama
Course: Science
Grade Level: 4th
Content Standard #: 7
Content Standard: Describe geological features of Earth, including bodies of water, beaches, ocean ridges, continental shelves, plateaus, faults, canyons, sand dunes, and ice caps.
*Content Standards:
Course of Study: Alabama
Course: Reading
Grade Level: 4th
Content Standard #: 9
Content Standard: Choose to read and view a variety of literature representing many cultures, eras, genres, and ideas.
*Content Standards:
Course of Study: Alabama
Course: Technology
Grade Level: 3-5
Content Standard #: 11
Content Standard: Utilize general purpose productivity tools to facilitate learning throughout the curriculum.
*Content Standards:
Course of Study: Alabama
Course: Technology
Grade Level: 3-5
Content Standard #: 14
Content Standard: Use the Internet to locate information.
*Primary Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to recognize and describe certain geological features, including the beach, ocean ridge, continental shelf, and trench.
*Total Duration: 1 hour
*Materials and Equipment:
For Teacher: The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole
For Students: chart paper, crayons, pencil, trade books about the ocean
*Technology Resources Needed:
Internet access, list of preapproved websites, computer lab access
*Background/Preparation:
The teacher should carefully prepare by arranging several large areas on the floor for students to work on the activity. This seems to work better than working on top of desks.
*Procedures/Activities:
Engagement/Motivation Activity: The teacher will begin a discussion on going to the beach on vacation. The teacher will ask students if they have ever noticed how the water rolls on the sand, how the sand begins to slope, and how the sand suddenly drops off as you go deeper into the water. The teacher should then have students brainstorm what could possibly be at the bottom of the ocean.
Step 1: The teacher will read The Magic School Bus On The Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole aloud to the class.
Step 2: The teacher should question students about the different features of the ocean floor they saw from the book.
Step 3: The teacher will take students to the computer lab to view a video on the ocean floor. Each student will need to view on their own computer.
Step: The teacher will tell students they will be recreating the ocean floor. The teacher will put students into groups and give them large chart paper and crayons. Students should have access to ocean trade books and the Internet for research of animals. Give students the preapproved list of websites before beginning.
Step 4: Students should be instructed to recreate the ocean floor from the beach to the bottom of the ocean. Students should label the beach, continental shelf, ocean ridge, and trench. Have students draw appropriate ocean animals and color.
Example Drawing:
Step 5: Allow each group to share with the class. Question students on what other types of things could be found on the ocean floor. Also, question students on how the ocean would change if some animals became extinct or if the waves started sweeping more sand into the ocean.
*Web Links
If ocean books are limited, students can be given access to research the internet for ocean animals. The attached list of websites can be given to students.
*Assessment Strategies:
The teacher will assess students through their ocean floor drawing. Drawings should include labeling of the beach, ocean ridge, continental shelf, and trench. The teacher should use the rubric for grading the drawings.
*Extension:
Students can learn more about the ocean floor and the physical features of the ocean by visiting www.mos.org/oceans/planet/features.html.
*Remediation:
The teacher should work with the student(s) one-on-one by looking back at the book, The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor for more instruction and explanation.
*Accommodation:
The student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 Plan will determine appropriate accommodations.
*Modification:
The student’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) or 504 Plan will determine appropriate accommodations.