Reading: Throughout the ocean unit, my students read fictional and non-fictional materials about the ocean and ocean animals. They focus on building a rich vocabulary background that will enable them to better understand information they read independently during their researching project.

Language Arts: My students are currently writing reports about a chosen ocean life (see handout of requirements of this project). My students are also corresponding with the students who attend Monhegan Island School. They will also be writing, "A Day in the Life of Mattie Thomson, a Maine Lobsterman." The students are required to give an oral presentation, as part of their project (see grading sheet). They will also participate in our Ocean Fair, in which each student will tell visitors about his or her ocean life. In our filming, the students had to ask questions for Mattie Thomson, which required them to speak clearly and coherently.

Math: My students will be graphing and charting information they learn about their ocean animals, such as the length, weight or number of young. They will also be graphing the price/ pound Mattie receives and comparing it to the cost of lobster found locally. They will also be working on math portfolio problems involving information related to the ocean and their ocean animals.

Science: In addition to learning about ocean animals, the children will also learn about: Why the ocean is salty, layers of the ocean, the ocean floor, plants of the ocean, shells, waves, tide, tidal pools, weather and environmental concerns. The children will also conduct a simple experiment/project that demonstrates something they learned about the ocean or their ocean animal. In doing this experiment, the children will follow a simple format of the scientific method.

Social Studies: As part of this unit, the children will learn the names of the oceans of the world, as well as the continents. They will also work on map skills, which will expose them to such terminology as, hemisphere, tropical waters, equator etc… They will also define the differences between bodies of water, such as a bay, gulf or harbor. The children will also study how food gets from the ocean to their table, as well as learn about products that are made using animals, plants and products from the ocean. With the help of Mattie Thomson and Phil Averill, the children will learn about commercial fishing and how it ultimately impacts their community and their own lives.