Crossword on Our Oceans
Do you know that the oceans are home to the most diverse living things on Earth? Solve this crossword puzzle to learn about marine ecosystems and the threats facing our oceans today.
Author: admin
National Oceans Month, Climate Change and Our Oceans, and Summer Pilot!
To raise awareness about the key role the oceans play in our lives, the United Nations designated June 8 as International World Oceans Day. As of 2022, the U.S. has proclaimed June as National Oceans Month. This week we look at ways we can promote interest in and sustainability of our oceans.
Green Guardians’ Lesson Series Summer Pilot
Our lesson series are designed to provide teachers with the confidence and resources to advance environmental literacy in their classrooms. This summer, we invite 3rd–5th grade teachers to pilot one or more of our lesson series.
Climate Change and Our Oceans
Students learn about climate change and the oceans. A whale watching trip opens Luna’s eyes to the effects of climate change on gray whales. That weekend, she and her friends visit the local aquarium to tour a special exhibit on climate change.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students learn about climate change and the oceans. A whale watching trip opens Luna’s eyes to the effects of climate change on gray whales. That weekend, she and her friends visit the local aquarium to tour a special exhibit on climate change. They learn about the threats to marine life due to rising ocean temperatures and acidification as well as their impacts on human beings. Wanting to do something to help save the ocean, they join a beach clean-up and pledge to do their part in keeping our oceans healthy and thriving.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Green Guardianship, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Pollution, Resource Conservation, Sustainable Human Development, Waste Management
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 RI.3.1 I.3.2 RI.3.3 RI.3.4 RI.3.5 RI.3.7 RI.3.8 W.3.1 W.3.3 W.3.4 SL.3.1 SL.3.2 SL.3.3 RL.4.1 RL.4.2 RL.4.3 RL.4.4 RL.4.7 RI.4.1 RI.4.2 RI.4.4 RI.4.5 RI.4.8 RI.4.9 W.4.1 W.4.3 W.4.4 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.3 RL.5.1 RL.5.2 RL.5.4 RL.5.7 RI.5.1 RI.5.2 RI.5.4 RI.5.5 RI.5.9 W.5.1 W.5.3 W.5.4 SL.5.1 SL.5.2 SL.5.3
History Social-Science: HSS-3.4.2 HSS-4.1 HSS-4.1.3
Science: 3-LS3-2 3-LS4-4 4-LS1-1
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around climate change and its effects on the ocean. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Four lessons of 40-60 minutes each.
Lesson 1: Whale Watching
Through a story and related activities, students follow Luna on her whale watching trip. As a gray whale appears to everyone’s delight, Beth, the marine biologist, explains how and why this specimen is malnourished due to changes in its ecosystem because of climate change and that gray whales and other marine species are suffering.
Lesson 2: At the Aquarium
The story continues as Luna shares her whale watching experience with her friends. They wonder what other effects global warming is having on marine life and decide to visit a special exhibit, “Climate Change and Our Oceans”, at the local aquarium. They learn about how warming ocean temperatures as well as ocean acidification are affecting marine animals, causing massive biodiversity loss.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: The Ocean and You
In the third lesson, the children turn their attention to the impacts of climate change on the coastal communities. Luna and her friends learn about how the vulnerable areas in California will be affected by sea level rise in 2030, 2050 and 2100 if little or no action is taken to slow or stop the pace of global warming.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 4: A Beach Clean-up
In this lesson, Luna and her friends decide to volunteer at a beach clean-up. They collect and record different types of trash on the beach and learn about the effects of plastic pollution on the ocean and coastal and marine animals. Determined to keep the ocean healthy, Luna pledges not only to minimize her carbon footprint but also to reduce the amount of plastics she uses.
Lesson Materials
Only One Earth, Climate Action, and Environmental Justice Lesson Series!
World Environment Day focuses on transformative actions on a global scale to protect and preserve our planet. This week we look at individual and collective efforts to reduce our impact on Earth and feature a few high-quality resources that you could use in your classroom.
Crossword on Climate Action
Take action to save our planet now. Do the crossword puzzle on climate action with your students.
CBP Updates May 2022
We hope you enjoy getting ready for summer! Be sure to confirm your summer programs are up-to-date on the CAELI Community-Based Partner (CBP) Hub.
Crossword on Endangered Animals
What do you know about endangered animals? Complete a crossword puzzle to find out!
Endangered Species Day, Biodiversity, and New Lesson Series!
There are over two million known species of animals on Earth. But, as of 2022, a total of 41,415 species are endangered and 16,306 are threatened with extinction. This week we focus on the importance of biodiversity and feature a few high-quality resources that you can use in your classroom.
Tough Choices
After Coco had her first asthma attack at a school’s 100-meter relay event, she investigates the sources of air pollution in the area, determined to improve the air quality.
Unit Overview
Through readings, activities and discussions, students learn about air pollution and its main causes and effects on people. After Coco had her first asthma attack at a school’s 100-meter relay event, she investigates the sources of air pollution in the area, determined to improve the air quality. Students also role play different community members in a town meeting to voice their opinions and vote on the future of on a local coal-fired power plant.
Grades
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Lesson Type
In-class or online lesson
Environmental Topics
Environmental Justice, Green Guardianship, Health, Pollution, Sustainable Human Development
Environmental Literacy Core Principles
For a summary of the environmental literacy principles and concepts embedded in this lesson series, please visit Green Guardians Environmental Literacy Core Principles.
Standards
ELA: RL.3.1 RL.3.3 RL.3.4 RL.3.7 W.3.1 W.3.3 W.3.4 W.3.5 W.3.7 W.3.8 SL.3.1 SL.3.2 SL.3.3 SL.3.4 SL.3.6 RL.4.1 RL.4.3 RL.4.4 RL.4.7 W.4.1 W.4.3 W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.7 W.4.8 W.4.9 SL.4.1 SL.4.2 SL.4.3 SL.4.4 SL.4.6 RL.5.1 RL.5.4 RL.5.7 W.5.1 W.5.3 W.5.4 W.5.5 W.5.7 W.5.8 W.5.9 SL.5.1 SL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.6
History Social-Science: HSS-3.4 HSS-4.5 HSS-5.7
Science: 3-LS3-2 4-ESS3-1
Guides
This project may easily be extended into optional family discussions and activities around pollution and the effects of pollution on health. To facilitate this engagement, a family guide (in English and Spanish) has been created which teachers may choose to forward to interested parents and guardians.
Lessons
Three lessons of 40 minutes each.
Lesson 1: Asthma Attack
Through a story and related activities, students join Coco and her friends at their school’s annual 100-meter relay race. While running, Coco has trouble breathing and then collapses on the track. It turns out that she just had her first asthma attack. At the hospital, Coco learns about the condition and its relationship to air quality. This discovery sends Coco and her friends on a mission to investigate the sources of air pollution in their area.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 2: Preparing for a Meeting
Students are invited to role play members in Coco’s community and attend a special town meeting that may decide the future of a local coal-fired power plant. Students are given individual role cards from four groups—health experts, community members, environmental activists, and power plant representatives. In these groups, students conduct research and prepare for their speeches at the meeting.
Lesson Materials
Lesson 3: A Special Meeting
In the third lesson, students use their research to role play a special town meeting. Representatives from each group state their concerns, make recommendations, and answer questions from other groups. At the conclusion of the presentations, students vote in character for or against the continuation of the coal-fired power plant. Then they vote again from their own points of view.