"Whales"
Audiences: Pre-school, Elementary School, Middle School, Adults
N.H. Curriculum Framework Strands: LS-1, LS-2, LS-3
Ocean Literacy Principles:
The earth has one big ocean with many features.
#2 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
#3 The oceans and humans are inextricably connected.
Program Summary:
This engaging program begins with a PowerPoint presentation that illustrates the characterisitics and physical and behavioral adaptations of whales, dolphins and porpoises. Docents interact with participants by asking questions and encouraging thoughtful discussion.
Participants explore the similarities and differences among whales, dolphins, porpoises and the special adapations that allow for finding food, breathing and staying warm in the Atlantic sea water through several hands on activities.
These hands-on activities are offered to participants in small groups. The activities help students to compare the sizes of whales, investigate the feeding techniques of baleen and toothed whales, understand sound and echolocation, learn how whales keep warm, and become familiar with physical features of different whales.
Program Outline |
Program Activities |
Introduction Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises (Cetaceans)
Feeding
Risks to whales |
The activities described below will afford pupils the opportunity to enhance their understanding of concepts presented during the PowerPoint presentation by participating in hands-on experiences and guided discussions in small groups Big, Bigger, Biggest (relative lengths of various whales) Which is Which (Whale Models) Dinner Time (feeding habits of baleen and toothed whales) Keeping Warm Who Goes There? (sound and echolocation - finding food in the dark) |
Marine Mammal Informational Links |
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