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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

The ocean and human medicine

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g35/seasmed.html

A lesson plan for grades 4–5 Science

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore how some marine animals have also been shown to benefit humans medically. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion and development of information and media literacy skills.

Students will:

  • read about a medicinal plant and discuss its health benefits;
  • read about, view pictures of, and discuss two marine species that benefit or might benefit human health; and
  • write speeches discussing the relationship between ocean health and human medicine.

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 1.01: Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
      • Other animals.
      • Plants.
      • Weather.
      • Climate.
    • 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.
    • Objective 1.05: Recognize that humans can understand themselves better by learning about other animals.

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations to build an understanding of the interdependence of plants and animals.
    • Objective 1.01: Describe and compare several common ecosystems (communities of organisms and their interaction with the environment).
    • Objective 1.06: Explain and evaluate some ways that humans affect ecosystems.
      • Habitat reduction due to development.
      • Pollutants.
      • Increased nutrients.