This section links to sites that specify themselves as elementary resources; however, there may be sites elsewhere on the Bridge that would also be of use to elementary educators. After looking through this section, you may want to consult the ocean science topic pages for additional resources.

5th Grade

National Estuarine Research Reserve System Lesson Plans - A collection of curricula, lesson plans and activities developed by some of the National Estuarine Research Reserves to help introduce students to specific estuarine environments. Topics include eelgrass and mud flat habitats, mangroves, natural and cultural resources, water cycle, hydrology, and public policy. K-12.

Under the Sea - A complete unit on marine biology for elementary students. Contains lessons, online activities, links, and an extensive list of books about marine life and habitats. Grades K-7.

Sea World - Excellent resource for information and teaching activities on marine life, designed primarily for elementary level. K-8.

National Marine Sanctuaries Teacher Programs - The National Marine Sanctuary Program aims to provide teachers with resources and training to support ocean literacy in America's classrooms. "Everything is here under one roof; lesson plans, exciting activities for students, possible research investigations, and background information for teachers. Grades 3-12." Mellie, Teacher grades 4&5

Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities - The Smithsonian developed this set of lesson plans as an extension of their "Ocean Planet" exhibit. Six different multidisciplinary lesson plans are included in the online booklet, along with good background information, and student worksheets that can be downloaded and printed. Grades 3-8.

Ocean Explorations - Lesson plans that accompanied NOAA's Deep East expeditions, these activities focus on ocean exploration, deep sea corals, the Hudson Canyon, and deep sea sampling techniques.

Navigating Change - Navigating Change is a project focused on raising awareness and motivating attitude and behavior change to better care for our islands and our ocean resources. Navigating Change is a five part, Hawaii DOE Standards aligned curriculum for grades 4-5. The collection modules include: The Voyage; Land to Sea Connection; Change Over Time; Human Impact; and You Make the Difference. Modules are in pdf format.

Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine - The Smithosonian has produced this excellent resource that compares the rocky shore environment of Maine to the coral reef environment of the Caribbean. Lesson plans are on the webpages, and maps and activity sheets are available in PDF format. Grades 3-8.

Institute for Marine Remote Sensing Lesson Plans -Five lessons on this page cover the secchi disk, coral reef remote sensing, ocean color and sea surface temperature.

Treasures@Sea - An elementary resource that explores the ocean through literature. Offers lesson plans, writing activites, art activities, and book activities. Grades K-6.

Turning the Tide on Trash- Three online units with definitions and activities related to marine debris for grades 3-6.

New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium Lesson Plans - These very complete and teacher-friendly lesson plans target the New Jersey (Atlantic) coast, but most could be easily adapted to other regions. Topics covered: beach profiling; beach zonation; horseshoe crabs; hermit crabs; fish anatomy; mollusks; sea shells; estuaries; currents; seafloor mapping; water quality; water clarity; oxygen; pH; plankton; salinity; food web; marshes. Plans include: objectives; background information and links to content-related websites; diagrams; student data sheets.

Cyber Fair - View student science fair projects and get ideas and guidance for students creating their own project. Grades 3-6.

Understanding Waves - Lesson plan designed to give children a basic understanding of the physical properties of waves without becoming too technical. Grades 3-5.

Sea Chest - Open the Sea Chest to learn about life at sea - a life experienced not just by professional sailors but also by thousands and thousands of ordinary people who traveled the sea enroute to new beginnings in new lands. This multidisciplinary resource includes a glossary and activities for students. Grades 3-8.

Respect the Beach Program - An interdisciplinary coastal education program from the Surfrider Foundation with oceanography and environmental protection lesson plans. Two units, Beach Explorers and Studies In Sand, are currently available online in PDF format with more units to come. Grades 3-6.

Water - Educational guide for grades 4-8 on the properties and characteristics of water.

Non-Compressibility of Water - Lesson to help students understand that water cannot be compressed and the importance of this fact in his daily life. Grades 4-6.