Lighting up the sea
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/seaslighting.html
A lesson plan for grade 4 Science
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the three light zones in the ocean and reasons for bioluminescence by conducting a simulation and viewing pictures of bioluminescent marine animals on the Web. Activities in this lesson engage students in development of visual literacy skills and whole class discussion.
Students will:
- view pictures of camouflaged animals, and discuss other types of animal adaptations;
- hypothesize what it’s like in the deep ocean;
- look at pictures of bioluminescent marine animals;
- do a simulation with flashlights, trying to identify other bioluminescent animals of the same species;
- identify and list the reasons that many marine animals are bioluminescent; and
- write journal entries pretending to be divers encountering bioluminescent animals for the first time.
Xpeditions provides detailed instructions for completing the lesson, assessment and extension activities, and links to helpful web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 4
- Goal 1: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of animal behavior and adaptation.
- Objective 1.03: Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.
- Objective 1.04: Explain and discuss how humans and other animals can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats.
