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

Responsible whale watching

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/14/g35/seaswhale.html

A lesson plan for grade 4 Science

Provider: National Geographic


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In this Xpeditions lesson, students think critically about the positive and potentially negative aspects of whale-watching tours. This lesson engages students in online research and whole class discussion.

Students will:

  • explore Web sites about whale-watching tours and answer questions about what they see;
  • brainstorm the pros and cons of whale watching;
  • analyze a poster showing whale-watching guidelines and discuss why guidelines have been implemented; and
  • write essays explaining their views on whale-watching tours and guidelines.

Xpeditions provides links to necessary web resources, detailed instructions for completing the lesson, 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 1.04: 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.