Marine Study For Grades 4-6
Saltwater seas and oceans cover over 70% of the earth's surface. This system
of water is a dominant influence on climatic conditions, local weather,
including temperatures, rainfall and wind, and general atmospheric circulation.
The oceans contain the tallest mountains and the deepest canyons on earth. Life originated in the oceans, and the oceans continue to support more species of plants and animals than all the continents combined.
Human history, economics, trade, the development of cities, transportation, food resources, recreation, art, music and the outcome of wars have been closely linked to the oceans. Yet a review of the curriculum used in elementary schools reveals that the oceans are studied very little.
The purpose of this publication is to increase the awareness, knowledge and literacy of elementary students in marine-related subjects. It is written also for elementary teachers to use as a resource and guide to other environmental educational materials. Words underlined in the text are defined in a glossary in the back of the book.
The concepts and activities presented here can be infused into the curriculum singly or they can be used as a complete unit. While Gray's Reef is the model habitat for this publication, it's important to remember that marine education concepts apply to any coastal environment. Also, it's not necessary to be in proximity to a coastal environment in order to benefit from the activities presented in this handbook.
GRAY'S REEF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY
Congress passed the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act in 1972
in response to a growing awareness of the importance of the marine environment
to the United States. The Act enabled the United States to designate as
National Marine Sanctuaries areas within its boundaries that have significant
ecological, historical, aesthetic, or recreational value.
Gray's Reef was designated a National Marine Sanctuary in 1981 and is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is located 17.5 nautical miles east of Sapelo Island, Georgia. Originally referred to as "Sapelo Reef", it was subsequently renamed for biological collector, curator, Milton B. Gray, who worked at The University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo in the 1960's.
Gray's Reef is not a coral reef such as those found in the tropics. It is a limestone rock outcropping, which stands above the shifting sands of the nearly flat continental shelf.
This rocky outcropping provides a solid place for algae and sessile marine
invertebrates to attach. The attached organisms provide food and hiding
places for other invertebrate animals and fishes. The rich diversity of
life around these rocky areas makes it easy to understand why they are often
referred to as "live bottoms."
Since Gray's Reef is well offshore and lies in 50 to 70 feet of water, most visitors are experienced scuba divers and sport fishermen familiar with offshore waters.
Interpretive and educational materials such as this publication have been developed by The University of Georgia Marine Extension Service under cooperative agreements with the NOAA Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Program. These materials include:
1. The Common Fishes of Gray's Reef - poster
2. Invertebrates of Gray's Reef - poster
3. Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary: An Educational Handbook - 34 pages
middle school/high school
4. Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary- brochure
5. Offshore Guide to Gray's Reef - map
For information on how to obtain these materials, write to:
Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA
10 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411
(912) 598-2345
Each chapter of this publication provides the teacher with basic background information, which also can be read to the class. Students in grades 4 to 6 can read these background sections themselves.
The subjects chosen for this book involve marine animals of interest to students. It is hoped that the other related activities included here will inspire students to learn more about these animals and the marine environments they inhabit.
Organizations including NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program and National Sea Grant College Program, as well as the Center for Marine Conservation, and the education departments of large aquariums, such as the National Aquarium in Baltimore, have supported the development of many excellent marine education materials. This book will help you discover such materials. It will also provide the addresses of conservation organizations which have ecologically oriented publications.