Under The Sea

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Instructor: Debbie Libengood

Workshop: World Oceans

Grade: 2nd grade

Content Areas Covered: Reading, Math, Science, Composition

Anticipated Duration:  Minimum of four 30-40 min. lessons

Rationale:

Current events have thrust the tsunamis into the news.  Children are curious about what they are and how they work.

Objectives:  

Students will better understand how a tsunami is formed by underwater events such as earthquakes, volcanoes or landslides.

Sunshine State Standards:

Resources/Materials Needed:

Books & Websites

  1. Cole, Joanna & Degan, Bruce. (1992). The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor. NY: Scholastic
  2. Gropper, Jonathan. (2002). Destination: Deep Sea.  Washington, D.C.  National Geographic
  3. A variety of classroom science books
  4. Tsunami Resources for Educators
  5. PBS Savage Seas

Materials

  1. Large, inflatable bubble (see picture)
  2. CRISS strategies

Other Helpful Resources

  1. Discovery School Tsunami Lesson Plan Resource
  2. “The Dynamic Earth” lesson plan by Frank Weisel, science teacher

Procedures:

Lesson 1: Tsunami KWL

  1. Introduce the subject: TSUNAMIS.  Using a KWL chart, have the class fill in the chart.  I used an overhead and an overhead sheet with the chart on it.  We filled in the KNOW section together and then the students transferred the information to their own sheet that they had folded in thirds and labeled.  Next we listed the questions that we would like to know under the “W” (what I would like to know) section and they transferred this information to their chart.  Collect and save each child’s chart.
  2. Give each child a 12x18 in. piece of construction paper (we used gray) and have them fold it in half.  This will become their journal where they will collect their data, save their maps, charts, and drawings.  We titled our journal, “Scientific Exploration of the Floor of the Pacific Ocean.” 
  3. Next we shared the books about the ocean that we have in our classroom library and discussed what they knew about living and non-living things in the ocean.
  4. The children than illustrated to fronts of their journals.

Lesson 2: Vocabulary

  1. The children were introduced to the vocabulary associated with Tsunamis. Vocabulary cards were: tsunami, earthquake, landslide, volcano, avalanches, fault, wave, harbor (“tsu”), wave (“nami”), energy, meteorite.
  2. We went to two of the web sites to see what happens at different depths and to see wave formation.
  3. Using a large, (12"x18") piece of drawing paper, fold it into fourths.  Title each section: tsunami, earthquake, landslide and volcano.  The children will illustrate each section with the underwater “catastrophic” event that would be the cause of a tsunami.

Lesson 3: Maps

  1. Using our classroom maps, maps in our social studies book, and our globe, we explored the earth’s surface to discover how much of it was made up of water. We noted the names of the oceans, seas, and gulfs.  We found where the most recent tsunami had been and related it to where we are in Florida. 
  2. Each child was given a map of the earth.  They were to color the oceans and the land. Then, using a symbol of a boat, they were to decide where in the ocean they would take their submersible if they were going to dive to the bottom of the sea and study the tsunami.  These maps were also placed in their journals along with writing paper and a blank sheet of drawing paper.  Holes were punched in the journals and brads were used to hold the journal together.

Lesson 4: Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

  1. To prepare the classroom for this lesson all chairs and desks had to be moved to the perimeter of the classroom leaving the center totally empty. Patterns of fish previously created by the children, were also brought out to place on the “bubble.”
  2. The “bubble” is four pieces of thick gauge plastic and duct tape.  The plastic sheets are taped together to form a LARGE pillow shape.  Large enough for 23 children to fit into when it is inflated.  Leaving an opening where two of the pieces come together to form the door and an opening at one corner were a fan is placed to blow up the pillow and keep it inflated.
  3. The day of the lesson this contraption is unrolled in the center of our classroom and we tape all the fish, colored side down, to the plastic.  We also use strips of colored tissue paper as seaweed.  Turning the fan on LOW we inflate our “submersible” for our “Journey to the Bottom of the Sea” Children bring their journals, pencils, and crayons to “log” what they see on our descent.  When we arrive on the bottom the pick a “catastrophic” event to observe that is the cause of a tsunami.  They document the event in their journals and than illustrate it.  When we arrive at the “ocean floor” all the lights are turned off in the room and the children are given flashlights to observe the undersea world around them.

Assessment:

Using the L part of the KWL chart we will fill in the information on the overhead and in our journals.  The journal will be a source of assessment.

Reflections: