4th Grade Marine Biology (Full Curriculum)
In this 13-week course learners will investigate marine habitats, animals, and ecosystems.
Danita
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(1,561)
What's included
26 live meetings
36 hrs 50 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 4
Unit 1: Earth's Ocean (1 week)
Week 1
- Seafloor Mapping
- Introduction to Seafloor Mapping (Presentation)
- Marie Tharp's Maps (Presentation)
- Seafloor Mapping Activity
- Use simple-to-find materials to create a topographic map with simulated sonar
- Ocean characteristics
- "What are Oceans?" Presentation
- Ocean Coloring Map Activity
- Use a map (provided) to cement the material covered in the presentation.
- We will take time during the presentation to conduct this activity.
Unit 2: Marine Life (9 weeks)
Week 2
- Sponges and Annelids
- Presentation and Matching Game
- Matching game provided
- Jellyfish
- "The Amazing Jellyfish" Presentation
- Biological Model Activity
- Using easy-to-find materials learners will create a biological model using the engineering design process:
Ask -> Imagine -> Plan -> Create -> Improve
Week 3
- Nudibranchs
- Introduction to Nudibranchs
- Nudibranch Experiment
- Use the scientific method in a simulation experiment reconstructing the mechanism a nudibranch uses to eat.
- Bivalves
- Presentation and Video
- Paper Clam Activity
Week 4
- Anthozoa and Cnidarians (Sea anemones and Corals)
- "The Amazing World of the Coral Reef" Presentation
- Calcium Carbonate Experiment
- Use a vinegar test to identify calcium carbonate in common objects
- "Sea Anemone Buddy" Presentation
- Symbiosis Activity
- Use cards (provided) to compare, contrast, and classify relationships between marine organisms
Week 5
- Arthropods/Crustaceans
- Introduction Presentation
- Biomimicry Challenge
- Echinoderms
- "Echinoderms: The Ultimate Animal" Presentation
- Symmetry Paper Echinoderm
Week 6
- Cephalopods
- "The Hidden and Colorful World of Cephalopods" Presentation
- Chromatophores Activity
Week 7
- Actinopterygii
- Introduction to Ichthyology (Presentation)
- Form and Function Game
Week 8
- Sharks and Rays
- "Dive Into the World of Sharks and Rays" Presentation
- Shark Mobile Craft and Habitat Presentation
- A cut and tape craft that will solidify the depth that each shark is found
Week 9
- Cetaceans
- Introduction Presentation
- Dichotomous Key Activity
- Marine Carnivorous Mammals
- "Life at the Top of the Marine Food Web" Presentation
Week 10
- Marine Plants
- "More Than You Imagined" Presentation
- Open-Ocean Aquaculture Activity
Unit 3: Biosphere Services (1 week)
Week 11
- Life-cycle Maintenance
- Presentation and Worksheet
- Nutrient Cycle
- Presentation and Worksheet
Week 12
- Carbon Sequestration
- Introduction Presentation
- Discussion: Linking the Nutrient Cycle and Carbon Cycle
- Erosion Prevention
- "Cause and Effect of Erosion" Presentation
- Erosion Prevention Demonstration
Unit 4: Ocean Exploration (1 week)
Week 13
- Being a Marine Biologist
- We will take everything we have learned and put it together into an activity where the learners will be tasked with being marine biologists for the week.
- Each task will be directly from a subject that we discussed in this course
- Workbook will be providedOther Details
Parental Guidance
Scissors will be used in some of the classes. Parents should use their discretion as to whether learners should have supervision, regular scissors, or safety scissors.
Tape adhesive can be a skin irritant. We will NOT be placing tape on our skin, but will be using tape. If your learner has a sensitivity to tape adhesive, please let me know and we can discuss alternative options.
In week 3, we will use a grater (which can cause cuts if used improperly). It is up to the parent to use their discretion whether they omit this tool from the materials, supervise the learner during the activity, or if they believe their learner can safely use the grater on their own.
In week 3, we will use almonds and pineapple to simulate food, but you can use any hard food if your learner is allergic.
Supply List
Unit 1: Earth's Ocean Week 1 - Box (any size larger than a shoe box), packing peanuts OR peat moss OR popcorn (this will be used to obscure the view of the topography underneath), tape, string or yarn (about 20 feet), a moderately heavy object (such as a spoon), objects to create our topography - these need to be able to fit in the box, but can be anything you have around the house such as binders, cups, bowls, or toys for example. - Map (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) and coloring pencils OR crayons OR markers Unit 2: Marine Life Week 2 - Matching game (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) - Paper plates (2-3), glow sticks (optional), party streamer (1 roll), yarn, tape, coloring pencils OR crayons OR markers Week 3 - Cheese grater (optional), sand paper (optional), pot cleaning pads (wire mesh, brillo or the like), large potato to simulate sponge or coral, almond(s) to simulate the tough shell possessed by mollusks, one whole pineapple with the rind to simulate the tough scales of a large fish (optional), Grid (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) - Paper Clam Activity (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) Week 4 - a limestone rock or shell, two rocks other than limestone, a piece of chalk, pencil or other common object, vinegar, a dish for each specimen - nothing needed for the second class of this week - it will be an online game Week 5 - No materials required (we will be playing a biomimicry game) - Paper, pencil, and scissors Week 6 - Mini (drink) umbrellas of different colors, scissors, 3 plastic or paper straws, markers, thick poster board (must be stiff) OR cardboard Week 7 - No materials required (digital game) Week 8 - Hoop (12" diameter), shark cutouts worksheet (provided), string OR yarn, tape, markers Week 9 - Dichotomous Key (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) Week 10 - Paper, pencil and coloring pencils/crayons/markers Unit 3: Biosphere Services Week 11 - Life-cycle Maintenance Worksheet (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) - Nutrient Cycle Worksheet (provided at the beginning of the course with the course materials) Week 12 - No materials required Unit 4: Ocean Exploration Week 13 - Workbook will be provided
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
Marine Biology (10th Edition) McGraw-Hill Education
(learners no not need their own copy)
"Marine Biology" Scientific Journal
Reviews
Live Group Class
$220
for 26 classes2x per week, 13 weeks
85 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-10
1-6 learners per class
