Mother of Sharks STEAM Lesson
Provided by: ECCLPs and UCI: Science Project|Published on: June 25, 2024
Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Type: Lesson Plans
Focus Area: Cultivates 21st Century Skills
Subjects: Science, English Language Arts
Authors: UC-CSU ECCLPs and UCI Science Project, Melissa Christina Márquez
Region: United States
Languages: English
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This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This lesson pairs with the book, "Mother of Sharks" and teaches students about sharks, their importance in the ocean, and the dangers they face when they are not protected.
- Students will also answer questions and draw pictures, learn about how tide pools are created, and learn about the creatures found in tide pools.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity sparks the creativity and interest of students because it encourages students to ask others and research on their own.
- Students learn about how different human actions neagtively affect the ocean ecosystem.
Prerequisites
- To use this lesson, students or teachers will need to have access to the "Mother of Sharks" book by shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez and illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz.
- The hermit crab shell activities and shark teeth activities require access to different types of shells and shark teeth, which are not provided in the resource.
- The "shark paper" is also not provided in the resource.
Differentiation
- After reading the book, teachers can list statements about sharks on the board that are either true or false, then ask students to guess which are which.
- Teachers can connect this book to lessons about other keystone species in the ocean or ask students to find a book in their library about another ocean creature that they'd like to investigate.
- Teachers with students near an ocean can consider reading this book before a field trip to a local beach or tide pool.
- Younger students can answer the questions verbally, while older students can practice writing some of the answers down.
Framework for Shifting Paradigms in Climate Education
This resource exemplifies the Cultivates 21st Century Skills Key Focus Area.
- Core Component 1: Hands-On Exploration and Inquiry-Based Learning
- The activities that go with the reading provide students with hands-on exploration of marine life. For example, on Day 1, students will make observations of hermit crab shells and describe them, and on Day 3, students will make observations of a shark tooth and write questions they may be curious about.
- Core Component 2: Building Emotional Strength for Climate Advocacy
- The lesson ends with an activity where students visualize and draw themselves as an ocean scientist. This helps students see themselves as a powerful and important piece of marine advocacy and look to their future in protecting the environment.
- Core Component 3: Environmental Literacy and Civic Engagement
- The young girl in the reading realizes her calling to be a shark scientist and protect ocean life from human activity. Inspired by this, students will create posters to inform others about sharks and how things like ghost gear, or discarded fishing gear, impact them and the marine ecosystem.
This lesson focuses on the book “Mother of Sharks” and contains associated activities and worksheets. Students will learn about sharks, what makes a healthy ocean, and fishing. In addition students will begin to learn about caring for our oceans and how to spread awareness. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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