Quests:

• List the pros and cons of holding marine animals and mammals captive in aquariums, zoos, and parks. Hold a debate to discuss the issue of captivity.
• If you live near the ocean, study a sample of sea water under a microscope. What plant and animal organisms are present? Compare your findings to different water samples taken from a river, swamp, and lake. Illustrate and record similarities and differences on a chart.
• Compare and contrast two marine mammals. Research their feeding habits, behaviors, physical characteristics and adaptations, breeding strategies, habitats, temperature and depth preferences, and natural history. Record your findings on an illustrated chart. Can you make any hypotheses as to why the animals are different?
• Research ocean pollution and design posters, informational pamphlets, fact sheets, decals, and bumper stickers that stress the importance of reducing marine debris. Share these "Save the Ocean!" products with local businesses, libraries, and schools.
• Describe how different sea creatures move. What body parts do they use to help them maneuver through the ocean's underwater world?
• How do marine animals protect themselves from predators? Describe the most effective camouflage and escape techniques.
• How do different cultures use the ocean's resources? Compare American practices to those used in Africa, the Arctic, Australia, China, Italy, Norway, and South America.
• How does the ocean influence climate and weather patterns? How is the ocean affected by weather?

© 2000, Creative Learning Press, Inc. 

Related Resources:

• Fun with Your Microscope by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone. $10.95. Order No. 111
• Whales in the Classroom: Getting to Know the Whales by Larry Wade. Published by Singing Rock Press.
• Whales in the Classroom: Oceanography by Larry Wade. Published by Singing Rock Press.