Monterey Bay Habitats Teacher Resources

Monterey Bay Habitats Home Exhibit Animals Multimedia Teacher Resources

Curriculum

Activity

California Standards

National Standards

Be a Scientist

What are the components of an ecosystem? Students assume the roles of different scientists while collecting data at an outdoor field site or aquarium.

Grade 6: 1e, f; 2a, d; 4a; 5a, b, d; 7b, g, h
Grade 7: 4a, c, f; 5a; 7a, c, d
Grade 8: 2b; 8c, d
Grades 9-12: Chemistry 2a, 4d, 5a, 5d; 7d, Biology 6b, 6d, Earth Sciences 5d, 5g, 6b, 8b, 9a, 9c, Investigation and Experimentation 1a-n

5-8: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, History and Nature of Science
9-12: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, Life Science

Decode a Fish

How do different fish survive in their habitats? Students use a fish body part key to "decode" a fish and infer behavior and habitat.

Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5b, e
Grade 4: 2b; 3a, b; 6a, f
Grade 5: 2a, b; 6a, g, h

K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
5-8: Life Science

Disappearing Fish

How do fish protect themselves in the ocean? One adaptation is camouflage. Students make a paper fish and "camouflage" it into a magazine photo habitat.

Grade K: 2a, c; 4a, b, e
Grade 1: 2a, c; 4a, b, e
Grade 2: 2c, d; 4a, d, f, g

K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science, Physical Science

Estimate and Measure

How does the size of your hand compare to the size of a book or desk? Students estimate the size of various objects using non-standard measurement, such as a paper “hand” or piece of yarn.

Grade K: 1a, 4a, 4d
Grade 2: 4a, 4b, 4c, 4g

PreK: Head Start Framework
K-4: Science as Inquiry

What rhymes with sea star? Students make observations of ocean animals and habitats in Aquarium exhibits, on web cams or in other nonfiction resources. The students then use their findings to write and illustrate poems.

Grade K: 2a, b, c; 4a, b, e
Grade 1: 2a, b, c, d; 4a, b
Grade 2: 2a, b, c, d; 4d
Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5b
Grade 4: 2b; 3a, b; 6a
Grade 5: 2a, b, c, d; 6a

PreK: Head Start Framework
K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
5-8: Science as Inquiry, Life Science

Rate Your Plate

Students order seafood from a mock menu and use a scoresheet based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program to gauge the sustainability of their selection.

Grades 9-12: Biology/Life Sciences 6a, b, c, d; 8b; Earth Sciences 5d; Investigation & Experimentation 1c, d, g,
l, m

9-12: Science as Inquiry, Life Science, Science and Technology, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, History and Nature of Science

Shark Anatomy

What makes a shark a shark? What adaptations help them survive in their habitats? Students explore shark anatomy by taking part in a debate justifying the importance of specific shark adaptations and physical characteristics.