The Ocean and You! By Amalia Nicholas and Katherine Childers

Context The unit will be taught to a class of kindergarten students whose primary language is English Taught over a 5 day span One main teacher, one assistant, and one student assistant needed Various learning centers: writing, reading, arts and crafts, music and investigation Learning takes place in and outside of the classroom Utilizing the centers: Watching a movie, incorporating a mixture of stories, pictures, and discussion

Objectives Students will: Become familiar and informed about the concept and the effect of pollution Be able to relate the information they learn to the world outside the classroom Increase their knowledge of the environment and what goes on in the water Increase basic motor skills, improve and develop their creativity

5 Day Unit Schedule Day 1 Discussion of unit Watch movie Day 2 Hands on, interactive activity with water and oil Day 3 Students design creative posters in groups Day 4 Field trip to Aquarium Day 5 Debriefing Read book Learn song

Activities: Day 1 Teacher will ask the students what they know about pollution and the ocean and make a list of that knowledge Students will watch the movie “Magic in the Water” Teacher will ask the children to identify the parts of the movie that struck the children and conclude with an investigative discussion about what they learned.

Activities: Day 2 Students will divide into small groups. In each center, there will be a plastic bottle filled with water and oil and the students will observe and identify what happens After the water and oil as been mixed students will soak a feather into the mixture and observe and feel the change Students will work on basic motor skills and team work by helping to set up the centers With help from the teachers the students will learn about the effects oil has on water and animals

Activities: Day 3 Students are broken down into groups where they will make posters (with the help from the teachers) and come up with slogans to help make people aware of water pollution Students from each group will then present their posters to the class

Activities: Day 4 Students will go on a field trip to The Mystic Aquarium Institute for Exploration Students will go on a field trip to The Mystic Aquarium Institute for Exploration

Activities: Day 5 Teach students what they can do to help the world and prevent pollution Teacher will read, “10 Things I Can Do To Help My World” by Melanie Walsh. Students will then learn the song, “ Make a Wave” by Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas

Evaluation The first day the children and the teacher will make a list of their knowledge about what they know about the ocean and pollution and watch the film Through the various activities and centers the teacher will monitor the progression of the students At this age level it is hard to test the students on the information. It is more of the students understanding of the topic at hand rather than memorizing facts The teacher is more concerned with the participation, input and opinions of the students and will evaluate them based on those principles