Why study nurse shark mating?
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/ccseasshark.html
A lesson plan for grade 4 Science
In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore basic information about nurse sharks and read articles describing recent studies in the Florida Keys. They also read about shark conservation programs and discuss how nurse shark mating studies might assist shark and ocean conservation. This lesson engages students in collaborative group work and development of research skills.
Students will:
- read and answer questions about nurse shark mating behaviors;
- read and answer questions about articles on nurse shark studies and report their findings to the other students in their groups;
- read and discuss a Web page about shark conservation programs; and
- write grant proposals pretending that they are scientists who want to renew their funding for research into nurse shark mating behaviors.
Xpeditions provides links to necessary online articles, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, discussion and research questions, and suggestions for assessment and extension activities.
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 1.02: Observe and record how animals of the same kind differ in some of their characteristics and discuss possible advantages and disadvantages of this variation.
- Objective 1.03: Observe and discuss how behaviors and body structures help animals survive in a particular habitat.
- Objective 1.01: Observe and describe how all living and nonliving things affect the life of a particular animal including:
