Lesson Three: Day One

Daily Topic: Oceans in Science

Objectives:
1. Students will be able to define what an ocean is and also
name and locate Earths major oceans
2. Students will use research to name different marine animals
and list some of their characteristics
Procedures:
1. Start with getting students involved by asking them questions
about oceans; for example, what color is the ocean? Have you
ever been to an ocean? What lives in the oceans?
2. Show the students a labeled map of the Earths oceans. Point
to the oceans and have students name the oceans out loud.
3. Pass out a blank map of the Earths oceans and have students
name all the oceans. This activity will show that students are
able to name and locate Earths major oceans.
4. Divide students into groups of 3 and have them discuss
amongst their groups the different species that live in the
oceans. Students will select one animal per group to research.
5. Have students research the animals their group has chosen
(ex: dolphins, whales, sharks, starfish, crabs). The students
will write facts about the animals. For example:
a. What they look like
b. What oceans they are located in
c. What they eat
d. Animals potential predators
6. Students will make an online newspaper article and use the
information gathered to compose and print an article about
the animal chosen.
7. Students will also work with their groups to draw a picture of
their selected animals to turn in with their printed newspaper
articles.
8. Students will present the picture to the class and read from
their newspaper articles.
Approximate Time Needed: 1 hour 30 mins
Prerequisite Skills:
1. Knowledge about oceans and creatures that live in them
2. Ability to utilize computer
3. How to write a newspaper article
Accommodations:
Students will be able to participate in class & work in groups to help
one another research, write, and draw. Students are able to use any
extra time to practice their presentations as a group. Teacher will be
available to answer any questions from students about the computer,
animal, or how to write a newsletter article.

Materials:
1. Paper,
2. Pencils,
3. Crayons
4. Computer
5. Printer
6. Printed map of the Earths oceans
7. Projector
8. http://www.fodey.com/generators/newspaper/snippet.asp
(student technology activity)

CATEGORY 4
3
2
Quality of Work Provides work of the Provides high quality Provides work that

1
Provides work that
usually needs to be
checked/redone by
others to ensure
quality.

highest quality.

work.

occasionally needs to
be checked/redone
by other group
members to ensure
quality.

Spelling and
Proofreading

No spelling or
grammar errors
remain after one or
more people (in
addition to the typist)
read and correct the
newspaper.

No more than a
couple of spelling or
grammar errors
remain after one or
more people (in
addition to the typist)
read and correct the
newspaper.

No more than 3
spelling or grammar
errors remain after
one or more people
(in addition to the
typist) read and
correct the
newspaper.

Several spelling or
grammar errors
remain in the final
copy of the
newspaper.

Knowledge
Gained

All students in the

group can accurately
answer all questions
related to a) stories
in the newspaper
and b) technical
processes used to
create the
newspaper.

All students in the

group can accurately
answer most
questions related to
a) stories in the
newspaper and b)
technical processes
used to create the
newspaper.

Most students in the

group can accurately
answer most
questions related to
a) stories in the
newspaper and b)
technical processes
used to create the
newspaper.

Several students in
the group appear to
have little knowledge
about the facts and
the technical
processes used for
the newspaper.

Organization

Students have
developed a clear
plan for organizing
the information as it

Students have
developed a clear
plan for organizing
the information in the

Students have
developed a clear
plan for organizing
the information as it is

Students have no
clear plan for
organizing the
information AND/OR

is gathered and in
the final research
product. All students
can independently
explain the planned
organization of the
research findings.

final research
product. All students
can independently
explain this plan.

gathered. All students students in the group

can independently
cannot explain their
explain most of this
organizational plan.
plan.