Sequence | Background | Objectives | Materials | Activity | Extensions | Evaluations

TOPIC-TITLE Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Tidal Pools AUTHOR Carina Bautista Enterina Calro Angel Hocog Karness Kusto Michael Tenny Iros Waguk GRADE SUITABILITY Middle School SCOPE Earth Science Ecology and Diversity

Sequence Before teaching this tide pool lesson, students should understand the importance of the shoreline and the type of habitats adjacent to the coast. They should also be able to use thermometers, magnifying lenses, measuring tapes, and maps. < < go top

Background Summary The rocky coast habitat is comprised of rocks and can be found in coastal states such as Maine, California, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii. There are four zones of life in a rocky coast habitat: the upper intertidal, mid-intertidal, lower intertidal, and subtidal (Greene, 1998). When the tide recedes in a low tide, depressions between rocks may retain water. These areas are known as tide pools. Tide pools contain a variety of organisms such as crabs, small fish, snails, and many types of algae. The organisms that reside in a tide pool may be subjected to drastic salinity changes because of evaporation or precipitation, changes in temperature from sunlight or precipitation, and desiccation (drying out) when the available water evaporates. The organisms found in tide pools are, therefore, uniquely adapted to survive under the harsh conditions of this habitat. < < go top Objectives Students will be able to do the following: Gain an understanding and appreciation for the living environments and the interdependence of life, the survival needs of different organisms, and the conditions in a particular area that can affect survival rates. Design and conduct a scientific investigation using appropriate tools and technologies to gather and interpret data. Communicate ideas effectively, using keen observation, measurement, recording, reporting, and active critical thinking and problem solving to ascertain answers concerning tide pools and their inhabitants. Report their observations in an oral presentation. < < go top Materials Thermometers Measuring tapes Magnifying lenses Data sheet for each group Reference sources about tide pools Pictures of tide pools and marine life Videos on Tidal Pools: Let's Explore Seashore (16 min.) Coastline (28min.) < < go top Activity Provide students with background information on the various aspects of the shoreline, including tide pools, through videos, reference materials, and class discussion. Distribute a data sheet for students to record observations from the video. (See page 36 for a sample data sheet.) Explain to the students what exercises they will need to perform when they visit the tide pools. Include information on safety rules and conservation tips for the tide pools. Assign five students to cooperative learning groups. Each member of the group will be given a specific task. Each group requires a leader, two observers, a recorder, and a reporter. Each cooperative learning group should prepare for the field trip by compiling a kit with materials that will be needed for research (thermometer, magnifying lens, and tape measure). While in the field, each group will identify and record various tide pool observations to include the following: Average depth Size of the tide pool (length at longest point and average width) Temperature Note: All observations will be recorded on the data sheet provided. (See examples on page 36.) Students will report their findings to the class in an oral presentation. Oral presentations should include a comparison between the tide pools studied and the organisms present. A description of why tide pools are important habitats and the hardships and/or benefits organisms endure or receive when living in a tide pool should also be included. < < go top Possible Extension Have the students develop a list of conservation tips for tide pools and other marine habitats. As a class, create a tide pool mural incorporating the observations made by each group when in the field. Have students create a mobile or collage of animals and plants they found in the field using drawings or pictures cut from magazines. < < go top Teacher Evaluation Grade students on the content of the oral presentations and their ability to work together in a cooperative learning group. Students can rate themselves on what they learned from this experience. Examples: DATA SHEET SAMPLE Name:________________________Grade:______Date:_________ Describe the tidal pools as shown in the video. Description (tidal pools) 1. Draw the different tidal pools you saw on the video. 2.List the various organisms found in the tidal pools. DATA INFORMATION SHEET Description of Tidal Pool    Tidal Pool 1  Tidal Pool 2  Tidal Pool 3 Temperature: F____ C ____ Depth of water: _____in ____cm Size cm and inches Draw the shapes. Kinds of organisms present: 1. 2. 3. RATE YOURSELF 5=Excellent 4=Very Good 3=Good 2=Fair 1=Needs Improvement Check the column of your rating: 1. Identify - describe tidal pools 5 4 3 2 1 2. Conserve tidal pools 5 4 3 2 1 3. Appreciate tidal pools 5 4 3 2 1 4.Exhibit scientific skills 5 4 3 2 1 5. Record measuring report findings 5 4 3 2 1 < < go top