DE Science Elementary “5-Minute Prep” For Earth’s Natural Resources Renewable Resources Ocean Resources
Ocean Resources – The Big Ideas Most of Earth’s water is saltwater which is found in the oceans. Oceans cover about 70 percent of Earth’s surface. The oceans are an important source of food, energy, and minerals. Evidence shows that pollution of the oceans is increasing. Over-fishing endangers many fish species, harming ocean ecosystems.
Ocean Resources – Prior Knowledge Students will probably have good background knowledge about oceans. They may know that oceans cover a large portion of our Earth, and probably know that they contain saltwater. Students probably have not considered what a valuable renewable resource the ocean is as it is an important source of food, minerals, and energy. It would be helpful if students viewed the FUN-damental, Earth’s Resources, before beginning this unit. In addition, it would help students if they:Earth’s Resources –Understand what renewable means. –Have ever been in or near the ocean.
Ocean Resources – Common Misconceptions The oceans are not connected; each acts alone. –Reality: All five oceans are connected. Human activities inland can not possibly harm or impact the oceans. –Reality: Inland behaviors can have a profound impact in estuaries and oceans which wait far downstream. The ocean is infinite so pollution is not a problem and resources (like fish) are inexhaustible. –Reality: The ocean is a precious resource which we must protect. Evidence shows that pollution of the oceans is increasing and over-fishing endangers many fish species, harming ocean ecosystems.
Ocean Resources – Using DE Science Content When you close this presentation, you can review the following recommended resources for Ocean Resources. Exploration: Ocean ResourcesOcean Resources Reading Passage: A $40,000 FishA $40,000 Fish Video: OceansOceans eBook: The 106-Mile DumpThe 106-Mile Dump Use the PowerPoint version of this presentation for hyperlinks to these resources or you can get to them through the browser or search feature.
Ocean Resources – Instructional Ideas After students watch the video on oceans, provide them with a list of twenty key words mentioned in the video. –Students should work in cooperative groups to sort these words into categories. –Students should be prepared to justify their choices and explain each category.
Ocean Resources – Instructional Ideas Students will probably be shocked as they read the eBook about the dumping of sewage sludge into the Atlantic Ocean. –Students can pretend that they were living before –Ask them to write letters to the government to persuade officials to ban the dumping of sewage sludge in the ocean. –Students should cite examples from the text to show how damaging this is for ocean organisms.
State Standards: If you wish to review your state standards about Ocean Resources, click here to get to the curriculum standards search feature of DES. You can click on any standard to see what resources are available to teach it. Additional Information: For additional content, check the Extend section within the concept.