Explore the Fascinating World of Marine Biology & Sharks: A Semester-Long Class
In this 12-week course, students will explore the fascinating world of marine biology and take an in-depth journey into the extraordinary world of sharks.
Mrs. Atwood
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(266)
What's included
12 pre-recorded lessons
average 26 mins per video12 weeks
of teacher support5 hrs 10 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentHomework
1-2 hours per week. For each lesson, students will be provided with a recording covering the lesson material and a discussion question that students will be asked to answer. The students will also be provided with readings and worksheets pertaining to the subject matter as well as additional assignments in CK-12. The assignments do not have a time limit, so students can complete their assignments at their own pace. Two small projects will be assigned to go along with the lessons to help to expand knowledge on the concepts discussed. These projects can be submitted through the Outschool classroom board or through the Ck-12 site, whichever the student prefers. This class is designed to best suit each student individually, therefore, if a student would like more reading materials, then I can provide that. Families can also use all of the recordings, discussions, the project, and reading materials the way that they see works best for their student(s).Assessment
Each week, the students will be required to complete the weekly discussion question in addition to answering the questions in the articles posted with the lessons. Students may also complete the questions in the Nearpod lessons while they are watching the recording for the week. This will help to them to reinforce the concepts presented in the lessons. In addition, students will also be provided a login to Ck-12, where they can access supplemental materials such as readings, videos, and interactives. Quizzes in Ck-12 are offered as a way to gauge student understanding of the optional lessons given in Ck-12. In addition, students will be assigned an optional project as part of the class curriculum. Assessments can be provided at the end of the class, but the teacher will provide feedback on assignments weekly. If a family requires an assessment sooner, that can be provided as well.Grading
Grades and/or progress reports can be given if requested by the learner or parent.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
In the first eight weeks of this course, students will dive into the world of sea turtles, fishes, corals, sharks, and many others in an exploration that will take students into a world full of amazing creatures. Explore areas such as the Great Barrier Reef and learn about the multitude of species of aquatic life that exist. Students will learn about coastal ecology and conservation, which will include exploring conservation groups and how they are helping to protect and conserve organisms. We will also study the biological impacts of climate change and how it is affecting marine organisms such as corals, fish, polar bears, walruses, sea lions, penguins, and sea birds. Students will also explore deep sea biology, learn about animals such as the lanternfish and the cookie cutter shark, and discover how they can survive in this extreme environment. Learn about the life cycles and different habitats of underwater organisms and what makes them so amazing and extraordinary. Also, get an introduction to why some species are at risk for extinction and what can be done to protect them.
In the last 4 weeks of this course, we will take an in-depth look into the world of sharks. Have you ever wondered about the mysterious creatures of the deep? Or maybe you have been fascinated by the almighty, powerful predator the great white shark. In this class children will learn and discover the beauty of the sharks that exist in the deep as well as what makes them such powerful and spectacular creatures. We will also look into their habitats, their migration patterns, and why they are feared by many other aquatic wildlife. In addition, we will also examine why some species are critically endangered and at risk of extinction. There are no pre-requisites to this course, just an interest in learning about these amazing creatures.
Students will work with Nearpod, an interactive software program that allows students to participate in discussion boards, answer short quizzes, go on virtual field trips, and watch interactive videos that pertain to course material. There are no pre-requisites for this course, just a love for animals and the environment.
Students will also work with CK-12 an interactive learning platform, that allows students to answer practice tests, read articles, and work in interactive textbooks. Assignments will be assigned on this platform weekly. Each student will be provided with their own login information to access their assignments and readings, which the teacher will set up.Syllabus
12 Lessons
over 12 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Marine Biology Fields and the Deep Sea
In this lesson, students will be introduced to the many areas that encompass the broad field of marine biology. Additionally, students will study in depth the unique deep sea environment by exploring hydrothermal vent systems and volcanoes, as well as looking at the many unique and usual species that have adaptations such as bioluminescence to live in such extreme temperatures and pressures. 34 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Coral Reefs
In this lesson, students will study many different species of corals and learn about their characteristics and the role they play in ecosystems as a whole. Students will also explore many different forms of aquatic life that thrive around coral reefs, including blacktip reef sharks, clownfish, and parrotfish. Lesson 3:
Intertidal Zone - Estuaries
In this lesson, students will explore near shore aquatic ecosystems by learning about estuaries. They will learn about the formation of many estuarine habitats, their unique water composition, as well as investigate marine species that inhabit these ecosystems. Ranging from sea urchins to barnacles, students will explore unique species while exploring wetland ecosystems like the Galapagos Islands! 39 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Arctic and Antarctic Marine Environments
In this lesson, students will learn about the arctic and Antarctic environments as well as explore the diverse species that inhabit this polar region, including polar bears, narwhals, and penguins. We will discuss environmental factors that impact their livelihood as well as their unique behaviors and characteristics that help them to exist in the cold temperatures. 36 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
There will be a couple of third-party tools used during the duration of this class including Nearpod and CK-12. Links and login information will be provided by the educator. No personal information will need to be shared by the students.
Pre-Requisites
Students do not need to have any previous knowledge of marine biology or marine ecosystems.
Supply List
Links to relevant websites will be provided by the teacher. No materials are required to purchase.
Joined September, 2017
4.8
266reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
My entire life I wanted to explore the ocean and the environment. I have always had a great appreciation for the processes that are not completely understood and the unknowns that have yet to be discovered in the environment. At the beginning of my professional career in research, I worked as a naturalist on a whale watch boat and as a laboratory technician working on environmental cleanup projects such as water and land pollution. Then I moved into my dream job of being a research chemist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in marine & geochemistry where I was able to be in the foundation of the research community and learn from many amazing scientists & researchers who devoted their lives to exploring the mysteries of the environment as well as protecting the animals and organisms living in it. For me, working as a student mentor with graduate and postgraduate students, made this experience one I will always cherish. As a teacher, I want my students to be excited about what they are learning, and with my background in research, I will work extra hard to make sure that if there is an aspect of a topic that a student is interested in, I will make every effort to alter my lessons to include those topics.Reviews
Self-Paced Class
$12
weekly or $139 for all content12 pre-recorded lessons
12 weeks of teacher support
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1 year of access to the content
Completed by 6 learners
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Ages: 9-13
