Lesson overview
This lesson introduces the marine habitat and encourages a discussion around what students already know about the ocean. Students use globes and maps to discover that we live on a blue planet and to understand the scale and depth of the ocean. Students learn the names of the five oceans and are introduced to five iconic species from a variety of habitats. They then conduct their own research using fact-sheets, books and online resources to discover more about these species, presenting their findings in a poster.
Learning outcomes
- Name a variety of ocean habitats and species that live there
- Understand the scale and depth of the ocean
- Conduct research about an iconic marine species
- Record and present findings
- Ask questions and reflect on learning
Lesson steps
- Ocean habitat introduction (10 mins)
Students are introduced to the marine habitat and share their prior knowledge about oceans and the creatures that live there.
- The depth and breadth of the ocean (10 mins)
Students study maps and globes to discover the scale of the ocean. They then look at galleries and diagrams to understand the depth of the ocean and how life differs in across the ocean zones. Students locate and name the oceans.
- Ocean icons (15 mins)
Students are introduced to five iconic species, from a range of ocean habitats and research facts about these species.
- Creating a poster (15 mins)
Students create a fact-sheet poster about one of the iconic species, drawing and labelling its features and describing its habitat.
- Reflection (10 mins)
In pairs students recall three new things about oceans they learnt today. Students reflect on what else they would like to know and share questions with the teacher.