Grade 1 - Plants and Animals of Seas and Rivers

ABC Sea/River Book

Students create an ABC Sea/River Book by illustrating and describing local aquatic plants or animals, emphasizing letter sounds and detailed observations, then share their work to enhance understanding and communication skills.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On

Alaska Seas and Watersheds Discovery Centers

Children explore discovery centers with tools, games, and hands-on activities like sand and water tables. They learn about aquatic animals and environments, sharing observations and practicing scientific thinking through open-ended play.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

Around Our School

Children take a walk around or near the schoolyard and begin to observe, wonder, and ask questions about aquatic life.

Location: Classroom, Outside
Activity Type: Field Trip, Hands-On

Biologist and Subsistence Backpacks

Children explore biologists’ and subsistence users’ roles using themed backpacks with tools like magnifying glasses and maps. Through play, activities, and discussions, they compare scientific and traditional knowledge of aquatic plants and animals.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

Creature Features Class Book

Students create a class “Creature Features” book by selecting local aquatic animals, writing descriptions using a guided framework, and drawing detailed illustrations. They share their work with peers and an external audience, encouraging discussion.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

Field Trip Session

In this 3-day investigation, students predict plant and animal locations, explore a field site, and conduct a detailed investigation of a “small square.” They share findings and create detailed representations with drawings and notes.

Location: Classroom, Large Space
Activity Type: Field Trip, Hands-On

High-Tide, Low-Tide Game

Children learn more about their special species and others as they explore life cycles and tide-related behaviors.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On

Let’s Meet the Invertebrates

Students explore 3-5 invertebrate groups, focusing on unique features. They organize traits, examples, and habitats in a “Meet the Invertebrates” chart, drawing and labeling invertebrates for their charts and science notebooks.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

Life Cycle Wheels

Children begin by continuing to learn about the wide variety of aquatic plants and animals in their region. Each child then chooses a special plant or animal to research, depict, and share with the class.

Location: Classroom
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On

Marine/Freshwater Animal or Plant Riddle

Students create riddles based on marine or freshwater animals, using research to craft clues, and present their work in a display or celebration to engage others in guessing and learning about aquatic life.

Location: Classroom, Large Space
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On

One Small Square

In this lesson, students explore a small square of their environment, using tools like survey tape and magnifying glasses to discover plants and animals. They document and share findings, comparing them to other students’ observations.

Location: Classroom, Outside
Activity Type: Field Trip, Hands-On

Plant or Animal Research

Students research a local aquatic animal, document their findings, create a detailed paper sculpture based on their research, and present their work to classmates and guests, showcasing their understanding of the creature’s characteristics and habitat.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On

Sharing What We Know

Children will reflect on what they have learned as they complete the O-W-L chart that they began in Investigation 1. They will plan ways to share their new knowledge with the whole school and/or community and prepare for an Alaska Seas and Watersheds Celebration. After learning and practicing ways to present information, they will display and present their work to others.

Location: Classroom, Large Space
Activity Type: Hands-On

Shells: Take a Closer Look

Children explore shells through observation, drawing, and writing. They compare shells, record details in notebooks, and use descriptions to identify each other’s shells, fostering observation skills, collaboration, and descriptive language use.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

Sorting Shells

Students explore and sort shells by properties like color, shape, texture, size, and weight. Starting with simple groupings, they progress to complex sorting using Venn diagrams, sharing their ideas through drawings and discussions.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Hands-On

What Do You Know Game

Students play a “What Do You Know” game to learn about local plants and animals, practicing addition and discussing questions with multiple answers. They explore aquatic ecosystems and build knowledge through gameplay and math problems.

Location: Classroom, Large Space, Outside
Activity Type: Game, Hands-On