Resources: Presentation. Resources needed are depended on the chosen activity.
Core Handout: A selection of activities to suit all ages and abilities across primary school. Teachers can use their discretion when choosing the most appropriate activity for their class. Some activities can be adapted so that mixed-aged groups can work together to complete the task.
The word marine means something related to or found in the sea. Biology is the study of living things. Ask the children if they know what a marine biologist does and what they might study.
What do the children already know about ocean life? Discuss their experiences of being by the sea and the sea life they may have seen.
The presentation about ocean life is an introduction to your World Ocean Day lesson. Depending on the age group of your class, the presentation can be used as a foundation so children can conduct further research.
Expert Film: Professor Dr Rhian Waller talks about her trip to the Antarctic.
Developing Experts has provided a selection of activities for teachers to choose from. There are a variety of activities that are suited to different ages and abilities, so teachers will need to choose the most appropriate task for their class.
Challenge Task: As a community, let's talk about the wonders of our ocean and the need to protect it. Upload your children's work to our social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram or Facebook), tagging us @DevelopExperts. To celebrate World Ocean Day 2023, our CEO, Sarah Mintey MBE, will choose a piece of work that has been submitted during May or June 23 to win a special prize!
Allow the children to present their work to the class. What new facts have they learnt? Discuss with the class ways in which we can protect our oceans and all the inhabitants that live there.
The ocean is a vast and diverse ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of life forms, ranging from microscopic plankton to giant whales. Life in the ocean is influenced by a variety of factors, including water temperature, currents, salinity, and depth.
Some of the main types of organisms found in the ocean include:
Phytoplankton: These are tiny plants that drift near the surface of the water and form the base of the ocean's food chain. Phytoplankton are important because they produce oxygen and are a major food source for many other organisms.
Zooplankton: Zooplankton are small animals that also drift near the surface of the water. They feed on phytoplankton and are in turn eaten by larger organisms.
Fish: Fish are one of the most common types of marine animals. There are many different species of fish, ranging from tiny minnows to massive sharks and rays. Fish are an important food source for humans and other animals.
Marine mammals: These are mammals that have adapted to life in the ocean. Examples include whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions. Marine mammals are highly intelligent and social animals that play important roles in the ocean ecosystem.
Invertebrates: Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. They include a wide variety of organisms, such as jellyfish, corals, crabs and lobsters.
The ocean is also home to a wide variety of unique and fascinating habitats, including coral reefs, kelp forests, and hydrothermal vents. These habitats provide important shelter and resources for many marine organisms.
However, life in the ocean is facing a number of threats, including overfishing, pollution and climate change. These problems are disrupting the delicate balance of the ocean ecosystem and threatening the survival of many marine species. Conservation efforts are needed to protect and preserve ocean habitats and the biodiversity they support.