Elephant Seals
Learning Sequence
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Introduction With Gavin
Watch the video with Hannah, which explores the topic of Elephant seals and features Gavin and Hannah. Encourage your class to take notes and make any necessary jottings as the video is being played, so they can refer to them later.
After the video, allow your class to ask questions to clarify any further questions they might have regarding the content explored. Make a note of these questions, so you can address them as the lesson progresses. This will help ensure that your students have a better understanding of the topic and are able to engage with it effectively.
In this short course, we’ll delve into the world of Elephant Seals, one of the most remarkable species found in Antarctica. We will explore the challenges these creatures face, and how they have adapted to the harsh conditions. From understanding their habitat and behaviours, to tracing their migration patterns and role in the ecosystem.
These magnificent animals can hold their breath for up to two hours, dive to depths of over 5,000 feet in search of food, and swim up to 33,800 km (21,000 miles) per year, in pursuit of their next meal.
Their ability to survive and thrive in one of the harshest environments on the planet is a testament to their remarkable adaptability and remarkable physiological features, such as their thick blubber and flexible nostrils that close underwater to conserve oxygen.
Elephant seals truly are one of nature’s most amazing and awe-inspiring creatures and in this course we are going to learn from them.
Course Keywords
Introduce the spelling word list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary.
Copy the words into a spelling list/vocabulary book for later reference.
Put each of the new words into a sentence and underline the new vocabulary in red pencil
Place the words in alphabetical order in a list.
Use a dictionary to define each of the words and place them into a vocabulary book.
Try to represent each of the words using a picture or a symbol and play the guessing game. (which image is matched to which word)
Write a paragraph containing all of the new vocabulary.
Make a vocabulary wall containing all of the new words.
Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words and create a synonym list.
These words will help you during this week’s lesson. You may already know some of these words however practice makes perfect!
First, read the words and then try to define them as simply as possible.
An example has been completed for you. You can write these into your books, and draw a picture to match or simply complete the task card.
Key Quote - Robert Swan
Let’s start by reading a quote and talking about what it means to further understand how we can use these words as lessons to learn from.
Read the following quote and discuss it with your class. You may even want to print it out and collate the quotes over the weeks to create a wall of discussion for future research projects.
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Comprehension Activity - Elephant Seals
Here is a reading comprehension activity. This can be done independently or tackled as a guided reading activity with your students.
Once the children have read the relevant information, they can then work through the comprehension questions until they become too hard. The four levels of questions allow for your students to push themselves until they become too difficult. They may wish to use classroom resources to solve the questions they find too hard or they can be used as extension activities to be completed in free time or at home.
Read the information opposite on the Elephant Seals and use the information gained from the video above and attempt to answer as many of the comprehension questions as possible,.
You may talk to the people in the classroom and use any resources available in the classroom to get the answers. You may even wish to continue your research at home on the questions that you could not solve.
Remember to answer the questions in full sentences and make notes of any diagrams that may help you remember the facts at a later date!
Layers of the Ocean
In this lesson, students will explore the creatures that inhabit different layers of the ocean. We have five layers to discover: the sunlight zone, twilight zone, midnight zone, the abyss, and the trenches.
To guide their exploration, a task card has been provided. This card ensures that all layers are covered, and students can choose creatures for each layer.
After conducting their research, students will have the freedom to express their understanding creatively. They can use various artistic mediums, such as drawing, painting, or creating models, to bring the creatures to life. The goal is to make their creations vibrant and captivating.
These creations will serve as valuable resources, inspiring and educating others about the diversity of life in each ocean layer. Encourage students to showcase their artwork and share their knowledge with their peers, fostering excitement and curiosity about the ocean.
Throughout this lesson, students will practice research skills, critical thinking in selecting appropriate creatures, and expressing their creativity. They will also develop communication and presentation skills as they share their work with the class.
Now that we understand the amazing abilities of the elephant seal, we want to discover two awesome creatures that live in each of the ocean layers. We’ve got five layers to explore: the sunlight zone, twilight zone, midnight zone, the abyss and the trenches.
To make things easier, we’ve provided a task card. It’ll help us stay organized and cover all the layers. We’ve even given an example for the surface layer, but it’s up to you to choose creatures for the other layers.
Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to bring these creatures to life! Get creative by drawing, painting, or making models of them. Don’t forget to label them correctly and place them in their specific layers.
Now, here’s the exciting part: your creations will be valuable resources for others who want to learn about the ocean depths. Your artwork will inspire and educate them about the incredible variety of life in each layer, so take your time, make it bright and get the whole school excited about the ocean!
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Mathematics Research Activity - Refugees
This lesson emphasizes the importance of freedom of movement for both animals and humans. Using the example of elephant seals in Antarctica, we learn that animals move around without restrictions. We discuss how conflicts and wars force people to leave their homes, but not all countries are welcoming to those seeking safety.
The task card encourages conducting research on countries that have provided the most assistance in 2023 to those who don’t feel safe in their own countries. It prompts the teacher and students to explore the topic and discover surprising information about global efforts to support refugees and displaced individuals.
We can learn from the elephant seals that roam freely across Antarctica, that animals move around without restrictions. Just like animals, humans should also have the freedom to move around.
Sadly, many people are forced to leave their homes because of conflicts and wars. Unfortunately, not all countries are welcoming and supportive to those who need help the most.
Let’s take a look at the task card on the opposite side and conduct some research on the countries that have provided the most assistance in 2023 to people who don’t feel safe in their own countries.
You might be surprised by what you find out!
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Real World Learning - Everyone Is Welcome Here
This lesson focuses on promoting inclusivity and diversity inspired by nature. We discuss how animals peacefully coexist in different habitats, emphasising the importance of welcoming everyone in our school community. Students are encouraged to create their own “Everyone is Welcome Here!” posters, fostering creativity and expressing the value of diversity.
By displaying these posters in the school corridor, we aim to spread the message of inclusiveness and let everyone know they are valued and accepted. This activity encourages empathy, understanding, and open-mindedness among students, highlighting the role we can play in being a supportive and welcoming environment for those in need.
In nature, we can see different animals living together on the same beach, in the jungle, or swimming in the sea. This week, we want to make our school a welcoming place just like the diverse oceans of the world.
Our task is to design a poster, using the one provided as inspiration, that sends a powerful message: “Everyone is Welcome Here!” You can use your own creative ideas to show how we embrace diversity in a special way. Many people around the world are in need of help, and we can be a shining light by keeping our minds, hearts, and doors open to everyone who needs a friend.
Once your posters are finished, we can display them in the school corridor, so everyone knows they are welcome!
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Let's Sketch With Jordan - Penguin Portrait
Let’s explore a fascinating animal from the Antarctic and have your class draw it using simple sketching techniques and just a pencil and paper.
We’re incredibly fortunate to have Jordan Brun from Young Art USA as our guide throughout this process.
Let your students take a look at the task card with Jordan’s example, and then they can use the video below as a guide to attempt to draw the same thing using Jordan’s techniques.
Once your students have mastered the technique, you might want to let them make a final version on special art paper, which could be used as a portfolio piece or framed and given as a present.
Let’s explore an amazing picture taken in Antarctica. We want you to try and recreate it using simple sketching techniques and shading. Our friend Jordan will be helping you along the way, so don’t worry!
To help you get better at drawing, we have a task card that you can use. Once you become an expert at sketching, you can transfer your drawings onto nice paper and give them away as presents.
Remember, you don’t have to make your drawing look exactly like Jordan’s. Make it special and be proud of what you create!
Let's Sketch With Jordan - Video
Let your students watch the video as a visual aid to help them create fantastic sketches. It’s also a good idea for you to watch the video and learn from Jordan alongside the students.
For this sketch, talk to your students about beginning with basic shapes that they recognize to create the simple overall form of the penguin. Have them create the larger areas before focusing on the smaller ones to get proportion down.
Details and differences between dark and light portions should be the last things they focus on.
If the students see that you’re invested in the project too, they’ll be even more excited to complete these tasks as a team.
Jordan has created a brief video to aid you in your drawing and shading. Watch the video to improve your drawing abilities, and remember that you can continue practicing your sketching outside of class to become a skilled artist like Jordan.
Best of luck!
Create With Jordan - Stained Paper Maps
Activity: Migration Map
Core Curriculum Connection: Science/Social Studies
Elemental Foci: Line, Color, Shape
Principle Foci: Emphasis, Contrast, Movement
Goal: Students will be able to create a map that details the migration pattern of an animal of their choosing
Criteria:
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Sketch out the land and ocean shapes near where your animal migrates in pencil.
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Dye your paper with coffee, tea, or watercolor for an aged effect.
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Ink your land and water masses of your map to accurately show where your animal migrates.
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Use red to highlight and show the path your animal takes to migrate using arrows for direction.
Relevance:
Through this project, students will understand the paths of animal travels through migration and how the animals’ movement patterns affect their behavior. Through this project, students will understand the paths of animal travels through migration and how the animals’ movement patterns affect their behavior.
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Here’s an art activity related to what we’ve been learning about. It’s an opportunity for you to enhance your artistic abilities and learn more about the amazing things that exist in the Antarctic region.
Take a look at the video on the other side and then do your best to follow Jordan’s guidance to make the world a better place with your creative skills.
To fully understand what we will be creating, you may wish to watch the full video below before starting.
Let’s get creative!
Let's Create With Jordan - Full Video
Watch the video with your class and support them as they use the skills demonstrated in the video in their own work tasks.
Watch Jordan’s full video here before starting your creative art project and remember that your work does not need to match Jordan’s exactly. Use it as a guide and try to make your work unique and be as creative as you