Unit Study Explorers and the Ocean

This unit study was designed for my kindergarten, 1st grade and second grader. For history my second grader was studying the Renaissance and we landed on the explorers the same time that the kinders were working on the World and the oceans. So I decided to combine the lessons and create a unit study for Explorers and Oceans.

So far my children are not interested in lapbooks but I will include them simply because I enjoy making them. I have seen other mothers create lapbooks for their children for reference. I think perhaps I should do this too!

Explorers & Ocean History Units Study Resources

EXPLORERS

History:

	World Explorers basic lesson plan   Trading cards for the explorers - these are a fun concept.  Explorers Lapbook resources Deep Sea Exploration National Geographic Sustainable Seas Expedition - deep sea exploration
	Naval Battles that Changed History The Maritime History Virtual Archives
	Myths - Atlantis, others?
	Sailing, Sailor’s stories, and Boats  Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

OCEANS:

Sea Life:
SCIENCE 


Animals of the Ocean -

	Invertebrates in the Ocean - octopus, squid, crustaceans
	Plants
	Mammals - dolphins, whales, seals
	Microscopic Life - diatoms, plankton Sea Life Websites Safari Touch Tank Learn About Coral Reefs Coral Reef Lapbook  Whales: A Thematic Web Unit

MATH

	Fish (Math activity) Counting-- Goldfish Fun What you’ll need: A muffin tin, a piece of paper torn into 6-12 small pieces (depending on the size of the pan), paper clips (as many as their will be players), goldfish Write numbers on small pieces of paper.  Place one number face down in each cup of a muffin tin. (determine what the numbers should be based on the numbers your child needs to practice with-maybe he always skips the number 15 when he counts, maybe he needs to practice 1-10). Give your child a paper clip.  Have your child throw the paper clip into one of the cups.  Let him take out the number and then count out the right amount of goldfish to match the number-then place them in the fish bowl (the muffin cup). Tell your child to place the appropriate number of Goldfish crackers into each "fish bowl" (the holes in the muffin tin).  Let him play until he is done then enjoy your goldfish snack (see the goldfish snack idea in the snack section)
	Ecosystems - deep sea, coastal, reefs  Counting and Estimation What you’ll need: see shells, a container Have your child guess how many shells it will take to fill the container. Count the number of seashells it takes to fill the container.  Was your child close?

Geography:

	Ocean Floor
	Islands
	Names of the Seven Oceans
	Oceans vs. Seas Geography About Water Levels, Tides and Currents

Websites

General

	Neptune’s Web
	Ocean Planet - Smithsonian Exhibition
	Discovery Channel Oceans Lesson Plans
	Sea World - Educational Resources
	Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Water

Water Science for Schools

Art Activity We created a diorama of the ocean using a cereral box, blue tempera paint and coloring pages from the internet. The children enjoyed creating their own Ocean. Language Arts Listmaking Make a list of treasures you can find at the beach.  After you and your child have finished your list, read Out of the Ocean by Debra Frasier-and add more things to your list. Make a list of things you would pack to take for a day at the beach.