introduction

OCEANS OF SEA ANIMALS

A Language Arts WebQuest for First Grade
By Janice Mills
James B. Edwards Elementary
Completed: December, 2002
Janice_Mills@gmail.charleston.k12.sc.us

Introduction

Animated.gif (c) Kitty Roach

THE OCEAN!

We splash and play and swim in the ocean! We squeal for joy when we see the dolphins, and we run along the sand, as we try to keep up with their graceful journey through the sea. But what do you really know about the ocean and all of the animals that live in its many biomes?

Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface. The Earth's five oceans are the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Indian, and the Southern Oceans. There are also many other smaller seas, gulfs, and bays. Oceans are important to all life on Earth! Oceans affect the Earth's climate, and the oceans provide food, energy, and oxygen for living things.

Marine Biomes

A group of plants and animals that exist in a certain area and climate is called a biome. An ocean or sea biome is called a Marine Biome.

A Marine Biome has animals that live in the open seas near the surface of the ocean, such as certain sharks.

A Marine Biome has animals that live in coral reef habitats, such as a ray.

A Marine Biome has animals that live in estuaries, where rivers meet oceans.

Snowy Egret

A Marine Biome has animals that live between high and low tide areas.

Gastropod

A Marine Biome has animals that live at the bottom of the sea, such as an octopus.

So, now you know!

The ocean is fun, it's beautiful, it affects the Earth's weather and temperature, and the ocean is an amazing habitat for many animals!

The Chamber of Commerce in your favorite ocean community has asked the children in your class to help them with a very important project!

The Chamber of Commerce (COC) wants to inform the community's residents, tourists, and owners and operators of boats of the need to keep the area's beaches and the ocean free of litter and oil pollution.

Fishing for Facts!

Did you know this?

Animated.gif all (c) Kitty Roach

The Blue Whale is the largest animal that has ever lived; however, its size couldn't save it from years of hunting and pollution. Now the Blue Whale is endangered!

Green Sea Turtles are endangered! When people throw trash into the sea, the turtles eat the trash! Trash is harmful to these turtles! Trash makes the turtles very sick!

In November, 2002, an oil spill from an old, single-hulled tanker off the coast of Spain killed about 10,000 seabirds. Nearly 500 birds covered in the toxic goo are being helped. There has been great damage to sealife and to the coastline. Winds and tides can move an oil spill to a coastline, and the oil can pollute the coast!
Many countries are asking for an international maritime law that would get old, single-hulled, dangerous ships off the seas.
Leaders in coastal communities believe that many citizens are not aware of the damage that oil pollution could cause to sealife, fisheries, and beaches along their coast!

You can help the people in your ocean community to realize that everyone must do his part to keep the beaches and the ocean free of litter and other pollutants. We do not want more ocean animals to be killed or to become endangered!
Your Question is: How can you help the COC to convince people who use the beach and the ocean that litter and other pollutants can harm sealife?
If you would like to join other students who want to help keep the ocean clean and all of the ocean animals healthy, click on the word 'Task' at the bottom or at the top of this page. This will take you to the Task Page, where you can begin your ocean team adventure!