TIDEPOOL Ecology Lesson Sources & Resources

1. TIDEPOOL EcologyLesson Sources & Resources V. Ortega, Library and MacLab Coordinator 11/2010

2. Lesson Standards Grade 6 Science California Content Standards Standard Set 5: Ecology (Life Sciences) 5. Organisms in ecosystems exchange energy and nutrients among themselves and with the environment. As a basis for understanding this concept: a. Students know energy entering ecosystems as sunlight is transferred by producers into chemical energy through photosynthesis and then from organism to organism through food webs. c. Students know populations of organisms can be categorized by the functions they serve in an ecosystem. e. Students know the number and types of organisms an ecosystem can support depends on the resources available and on abiotic factors, such as quantities of light and water, a range of temperatures and soil composition. California Standards and Guidelines for Strong School Libraries[California School Library Association. Sacramento. 2004.] Standards for School Library Media Teachers Collaborative Teacher, Standard 4: The Library Media Teacher collaborates with other teachers to teach information literacy, Instructional Partner, Standard 5: The Library Media Teacher collaborates with other teachers to integrate the best uses of information and communication technologies into curriculum and instruction.

3. Tidepool Lesson Concepts and Objectives Key ConceptThis lesson identifies the biotic and abiotic components found in a tidepool ecosystem.ObjectivesStudents will be able to describe what a tidepool is.Students will know what biotic and abiotic components make up a tidepool. Key ConceptThe unique appearance of plants and animals in the tidepool are a direct result of their adaptations for survival in a harsh environment.ObjectivesStudents will be able to recognize adaptations for survival in a tidepool.Students will be able to classify invertebrates found in a tidepool by observing their appearance and characteristics. Key ConceptTidepools are facing new challenges from unexpected sources, including humans and pollution.  ObjectivesStudents will know one "good tidepooling rule."Students will understand that California State Parks and other agencies are taking an active role in helping to preserve tidepool ecosystems.

4. Technology and Video ConferencingTidepool Lesson Concept and Objectives Key ConceptThe student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively. Objectives Students will use digital resources (Macbooks) to access information. Students understand that note taking is a tool for information processing (remembering, comparing, analyzing and sequencing). Students will be able to select relevant information during the research process. Key Concept The student who contributes positively to the learning community is information literate and practices ethical behavior in regard to information and information technology Objectives Students understand the reasons and methods for citing sources. Students follow school requirements regarding responsible use of information and communication technologies. Key Concept The student who is introduced to new communication technologies (Video Conferencing) contributes collaboratively in the pursuit and generation of knowledge and information. Objective Students extend the research process by participating in the Crystal Cove Tidepool Ecology Video Conference (the culminating event of instruction).

5. Lesson Resources and Credits Tidepool Ecology Lessons, worksheets, power points, movies are adapted from: PORTS (Parks Online Resource for Teachers and Students) California State Parkshttp://www.ports.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23863 Over three miles of beachfront borders the western edge of Crystal Cove State Park.  On certain areas of the beach where the ocean meets the rocky shore you can find an amazing ecosystem full of life.  This ecosystem is called the intertidal zone, or tidepools.  At low tide this world is exposed.The tidepool lesson will prepare students to take a virtual field trip via videoconference technology to Crystal Cove State Park.  Park Rangers will be live at the ocean's edge and will talk directly to students about the constant struggle that plants and animals in the tidepool face every day.

6. Lesson Resources and Credits Online resources adapted from: http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/index.html ThinkQuest Library (Oracle Education Foundation) Life on the Rocky Shore is about ocean tidepools. There are many fun activities for students to explore on the ThinkQuest (Tidepools) web site. One of the interactive activities give students the opportunity to identify tidepool animals (Tidepool Taxonomy) by phylum, characteristics, similar species and tide level. When you think that you can identify tidepool animals, try these interactives: “Tidepool Challenge” http://library.thinkquest.org/J002608/Tidepool_Challenge.html or “What Am I?” http://library.thinkquest.org/J001418/what.html