Whitman-Hanson Regional High School provides all students with a high- quality education in order to develop reflective, concerned citizens and contributing members of the global community.

Course Number: 810 Title: Marine Biology II- The Marine Mammals Grade: 9-12 # of Days: 60
Course Description / In this course, students will continue their study of the basic principles of marine science, while focusing on marine mammals. The primary focus of this course is classification and identification of marine mammals with an emphasis on conservation. The first unit will cover the cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), the next unit covers the pinnipeds (seals, sea lions and fur sea lions) while the final unit covers polar bears, sea otters, manatees and dugongs. Our study will involve use of the Internet, lectures and documentaries to further our field knowledge of the marine environment. This course meets Whitman-Hanson Student Learning Expectations 1-3 and 5.
Instructional Strategies / Instructional Strategies include but may not be limited to the following:
*listening to lectures
*taking notes
*watching appropriate A/V materials
*working independently and with groups
*research projects
*writing assignments
*homework
*quizzes and tests
Student Learning Expectations / 1.Read, write and communicate effectively.
2.Utilize technologies appropriately and effectively.
3.Apply critical thinking skills.
4.Explore and express ideas creatively.
5.Participate in learning both individually and collaboratively.
6.Demonstrate personal, social, and civic responsibility.

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Unit of Study: An introduction tothe Cetaceans

MA Standard/Strands: / 5. Evolution and Biodiversity
Central Concepts: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. Over many generations, changes in the genetic make-up of populations may affect biodiversity through speciation and extinction.
5.1Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
5.2Describe species as reproductively distinct groups of organisms. Recognize that species are further classified into a hierarchical taxonomic system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular similarities. Describe the role that geographic isolation can play in speciation.
5.3Explain how evolution through natural selection can result in changes in biodiversity through the increase or decrease of genetic diversity within a population.
6. Ecology
Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
6.1Explain how birth, death, immigration, and emigration influence population size.
6.2Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species.
6.3Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities.
Time Frame: / Days 1-34
Text
(Chapter/Pages) / Chapter 8. Marine Biology: Castro and Huber; second edition; 1997
Other Resources: /
  • Teacher Created PowerPoint Presentation
  • A variety of current online articles
Audiovisuals included by not limited to:
  • In the Company of Whales
  • Humpback Whales
  • Blue Whales
  • Gray Whales
  • Bowhead Whales
  • Orcas- Delphine and Family
  • Whale Intelligence and SONAR
  • Pilot Whale Rescue
  • Dolphins
  • Call of the Killer Whale
  • Beluga Whales
  • The Other Side of Dolphins

Essential Questions
Concepts, Content: /
  • What is a mammal? What is a Marine Mammal?
  • From where did marine mammals evolve?
  • How intelligent/social are Cetaceans?
  • What is a Cetacean?
  • What is the difference between a Mysticete and an Odontocete?
  • What are the different species within each Family? How do we identify them?
  • What impact are humans having on the populations of these animals?
  • What can we do to protect them?
  • Why do we research Cetaceans?

Targeted Skill(s): /
  • Identify a variety of Marine Mammals
  • Recognize which behaviors and body parts help correctly identify species
  • Recognize the importance of each species within the marine environment and the role that each plays
  • Discuss the impact of humans on the marine environment and therefore Marine Mammals
  • Discuss the varying levels of “endangered” as described on the ICUN website
  • Distinguish between many of the Marine Mammal species found around the New England coast
  • Use the Internet and other resources to research a specific marine mammal for study
  • Use the Internet to complete the Sea Shepherd Project: A conservation based, group research project

Writing: /
  • Literacy question on “Killer Whale- Delphine” video worksheet
  • Short answer questions on the test
  • Short answer on Mysticete quiz

Assessment Practices: /
  • Teacher created worksheet to go along with each video
  • Teacher created crossword puzzle for review
  • Teacher created quizzes and test
  • Chapter 8 vocabulary assignment
  • Teacher created SONAR homework
  • Teacher created callosities homework
  • Teacher created “Whale Watching 101” homework to identify behaviors
  • Teacher created Fossil homework
  • Teacher created color picture packet for review

Unit of Study: An introduction to Pinnipeds

MA Standard/Strands: / 5. Evolution and Biodiversity
Central Concepts: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. Over many generations, changes in the genetic make-up of populations may affect biodiversity through speciation and extinction.
5.1Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
5.2Describe species as reproductively distinct groups of organisms. Recognize that species are further classified into a hierarchical taxonomic system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular similarities. Describe the role that geographic isolation can play in speciation.
5.3Explain how evolution through natural selection can result in changes in biodiversity through the increase or decrease of genetic diversity within a population.
6. Ecology
Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
6.1Explain how birth, death, immigration, and emigration influence population size.
6.2Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species.
6.3Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities.
Time Frame: / Days 35-45
Text
(Chapter/Pages) / Chapter 8. Marine Biology: Castro and Huber; second edition; 1997
Other Resources: /
  • Teacher Created PowerPoint Presentation
  • A variety of current online articles
Audiovisuals included by not limited to:
  • Elephant Seals
  • Growing up Seal
  • California Sea Lions
  • Stellar Sea Lions
  • Walrus and Polar Bear
  • Growing up Walrus

Essential Questions
Concepts, Content: /
  • What is a Pinniped?
  • How did Pinnipeds evolve differently than Cetaceans?
  • What challenges do Pinnipeds face for survival?
  • What role do humans play in the survival of Pinniped species?
  • How intelligent/social are Pinnipeds?
  • What is the difference between a Seal, Sea Lion, Fur Sea Lion and a Walrus?
  • What are the different species within each Family? How do we identify them?
  • What can we do to protect them?
  • Why do we research Pinnipeds?

Targeted Skill(s): /
  • Identify a variety of Pinnipeds
  • Recognize which behaviors and body parts help correctly identify species
  • Recognize the importance of each species within the marine environment and the role that each plays
  • Discuss the impact of humans on the marine environment and therefore Pinnipeds
  • Distinguish between many of the Pinniped species found around the New England coast

Writing: /
  • Literacy question at the end of the Walrus and Polar Bear video
  • Short answer questions on the test

Assessment Practices: /
  • Teacher created worksheet to go along with each video
  • Teacher created crossword puzzle for review
  • Teacher created color picture packet for review
  • Teacher created test

Unit of Study: An Introduction to the Marine Carnivores and Sirens

MA Standard/Strands: / 5. Evolution and Biodiversity
Central Concepts: Evolution is the result of genetic changes that occur in constantly changing environments. Over many generations, changes in the genetic make-up of populations may affect biodiversity through speciation and extinction.
5.1Explain how evolution is demonstrated by evidence from the fossil record, comparative anatomy, genetics, molecular biology, and examples of natural selection.
5.2Describe species as reproductively distinct groups of organisms. Recognize that species are further classified into a hierarchical taxonomic system (kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular similarities. Describe the role that geographic isolation can play in speciation.
5.3Explain how evolution through natural selection can result in changes in biodiversity through the increase or decrease of genetic diversity within a population.
6. Ecology
Central Concept: Ecology is the interaction among organisms and between organisms and their environment.
6.1Explain how birth, death, immigration, and emigration influence population size.
6.2Analyze changes in population size and biodiversity (speciation and extinction) that result from the following: natural causes, changes in climate, human activity, and the introduction of invasive, non-native species.
6.3Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers, and decomposers, and explain the transfer of energy through trophic levels. Describe how relationships among organisms (predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism, and mutualism) add to the complexity of biological communities.
Time Frame: / Days 46-60
Text
(Chapter/Pages) / Chapter 8. Marine Biology: Castro and Huber; second edition; 1997
Other Resources: /
  • Teacher created PowerPoint presentation on Polar Bears
  • Internet
Audiovisuals include but are not limited to:
  • Polar Bears
  • Growing up Polar Bear
  • Sea Otters
  • Manatees

Essential Questions
Concepts, Content: /
  • What is a Polar Bear?
  • What is a Sea Otter?
  • What is a Manatee?
  • What is a Dugong?
  • How did carnivores and sirens evolve differently than Cetaceans and Pinnipeds?
  • What challenges do Carnivores and Sirens face for survival?
  • What role do humans play in the survival of Carnivore and Siren species?
  • How intelligent/social are Carnivores and Sirens?
  • What are the different species within each Family? How do we identify them?
  • What can we do to protect them?
  • Why do we research Carnivores and Sirens?

Targeted Skill(s): /
  • Identify a variety of Carnivores and Sirens
  • Recognize which behaviors and body parts help correctly identify species
  • Recognize the importance of each species within the marine environment and the role that each plays
  • Discuss the impact of humans on the marine environment and therefore Carnivores and Sirens
  • Determine why Carnivores and Sirens are not located around the New England coast

Writing: /
  • By the end of the trimester, students will complete a large project on their marine mammal species of choice. They can elect to make a Power Point, a poster, or create a scrapbook to present their animal.
  • Short answer on Polar Bear quiz

Assessment Practices: /
  • Teacher created review for Polar Bear quiz
  • Polar Bear Quiz
  • Sea Otter WebQuest
  • Final exam review

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