Side x Side | Awakening Tomorrow's Innovators through Art

Awakening Tomorrow's Innovators through Art

For TeachersLesson Plans

gr2

LESSON 1: Learning About Sea Creatures

Timeframe: 1 hour

Students will learn about specific sea creatures and then create research cards about each creature.

Materials

Per student:

  • pencil / eraser
  • notebook or science journal


To share:

Vocabulary

reference materials
research

Learning Goals

Students will understand:

  • How to use various reference materials to research different information. 
  • How scientific drawings are used in research.
  • How close looking is a tool for learning and discovery
  • How to create a teaching card about their research topic.

Step 1: Creatures that live in the ocean

Using videos, books, and images create a list of creatures that live in the Atlantic Ocean. Talk about the different habitats required for the various sea creatures and where those habitats exist (ocean floor, caves, etc.). Students will use this list of sea creatures to choose their research topic.

Step 2: Research questions

Once students decide on the sea creatures they want to research, begin listing the “critical questions” they will need to learn about their creatures. 

Write the required research questions on the board. For example: What is the sea creature you are researching? Where in the ocean does the creature live (what habitat?)? What does it eat? How long does it live? etc. 

Teaching Tip: Provide each student with a field journal at the start of the unit. A field journal reinforces art and science connections while giving students one place in which to keep all their research and drawings.

Next Steps: Once the students have researched the required facts about their sea creatures, they are ready to create scientific illustrations of their creatures. Move on to Lesson 2.

Footer