Grade 5 - Humans and the Ocean

M/V Tiglax and Steller Sea lions in the Aleutian Islands photo courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service

Investigation 1: The Legend of the Bidarki
(3 class periods)

How are people who harvest marine life such as bidarkis part of an interconnected system?
Students develop an understanding of interconnections among the ocean, humans, and other living things through a case study of harvesting bidarki (katy chitons) in the Alaska Native villages of Port Graham and Nanwalek. They reflect on their own connections to the ocean.

Investigation 2: Fishing for the Future
(2-3 class periods)

How does technology change our success in fishing?
How can we use resources in ways that are sustainable?
Students discuss how methods of fishing have changed, then play a game to explore the idea of sustainable fishing practice. They simulate fishery activity using increasingly sophisticated technology, in different oceans. As students progress through the fishing seasons, they will likely overfish their part of the ocean and will have to migrate to other places in the ocean to meet their basic needs. Most groups will eventually create a total crash of fish stocks in the ocean. After discussing the game and its meaning, students will propose new rules for the game, to make fishing sustainable.

Investigation 3: Ocean Impacts
(7-9 class periods)

What are some ways that humans can have an impact on marine life in the ocean?
How can we be stewards of the ocean?
Students work in small groups to research a current issue related to human interaction with the ocean, using Internet and library resources. They will communicate the facts about their issue on a poster and participate in a poster viewing session, and ask questions about the information presented on the other posters created by members of their class.

Investigation 4: Human Impact Survey
(3-4 class periods + field trip)

How do human actions change the (name of area or water body)? Are these changes helpful or harmful?
What actions or changes are needed to improve the health of the (name of area or water body)?
Students plan and carry out a survey of human impacts to a local aquatic environment. They analyze their findings and prepare to share them with the community.

Investigation 5: Friends of the Sea
(5-8 class periods)

How can we be stewards of the ocean?
Students discuss stewardship actions and develop an action plan that they will carry out as a class. They host a “Friends of the Sea” party to involve the school and community in their stewardship efforts and to share the results of their investigations.