Ocean Studies

The Grade Ones and Twos have begun a Marine inquiry based study. We started the project off with what the students knew about the ocean in the form of an oil pastel, water color wash painting and a small group conversation. Then we walked to the beach and explored. The next Monday we visited the Deep Bay Marine Field Station and got to explore the touch tanks, visit with a marine biologist and use microscopes, as well as go on a tour to see the path that the water takes to get from the mountains to the ocean. It was a great learning environment. The students then created their own "I wonder" questions with a partner. Using text, as well as computers, the children started to complete a research flip book. Many of the students also helped their Grade K/1 buddies with their research. As well as completing research we have been using plastercine as a medium to build marine life. Learning new sea songs, painting our favorite sea creatures, and creating a big collage to cover our house centre, thereby turning it into an ocean environment. Should be interesting to see the creative stories that evolve.

Our research is complete and our next step is to share what we learned with our classmates and K/1 buddies.