Beaches and Oceans
Do your kids have surf and sand on their minds? Take advantage of their summer-time daydreaming with these lessons about beaches and oceans. Each of these activities meets a variety of state and national standards for technology and core subject areas.
Grades K-2
Have students decide on one word related to the beach that is important to them. Then have them use Word Processing software to create an Acrostic poem, where the first letter of each line spells out their chosen word. Have the students use Graphics software to create an image to accompany their poem. Then have students share their poems and graphics with the class.
EasyTech units: Beginning Graphics, Word Processing Basics
Grades 3-5
Have students create a database of animals they would encounter at the beach and in the ocean. Brainstorm a long list as a class, and then assign each student 3-5 items from the list. As a class, you should also determine the categories and types of information about each animal that you want to include in the database. Have students use the Web to research the information on each of their assigned animals, then enter it into the database. As a class, use graphs, sorting, and searching features to discover interesting facts and trends in the information.
EasyTech units: Database Basics, Database Creation, Queries, Reports
Grades 6-8
The cleanliness and sustainability of our oceans and beaches is an important environmental issue—and one that students can relate to. One way to help people think about global issues like this is by really bringing the issue home, to the places and activities that are important to them. First, create a database and have each student take a turn entering the following information into a database: Name, Address/Email, Favorite Beach, Favorite Beach Activity. Have students use the Web to research threats to beaches and oceans, and to discover things they can do to help the problem. Then students should use Word Processing software to compose a letter to classmates, sharing what they have learned and what they think students should be doing to help. Have students use the Mail Merge features to personalize the letters with the information from the database. Then, have them print and hand out; print and mail; or email the letters to their classmates.
EasyTech units: Word Processing Software, Web Browsing, Multimedia and Databases
Great reference sites:
- NOAA Ocean Explorer: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov
- Secrets of the Ocean: www.pbs.org/oceanrealm/
- EPA - Beach Kids: www.epa.gov/beaches/kids
- Year of The Ocean 1998: www.yoto98.noaa.gov/kids.htm
