5th Grade CEU - Making Waves

This unit is interdisciplinary in nature and uses advanced-level reading and writing instruction to explore the interdependent systems of Earth’s oceans.
Making Waves CEU takes place from 1:20 to 2:20 on Wednesdays and Fridays in Mrs. Young's room during the first part of the school year.
Making Waves CEU takes place from 1:20 to 2:20 on Wednesdays and Fridays in Mrs. Young's room during the first part of the school year.
For a list of the Making Waves unit goals and objectives, click on the file below.

making_waves_goals_and_objectives.pdf | |
File Size: | 49 kb |
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Planet Ocean or Planet Earth?
How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly planet
Ocean. This quote by Arthur C. Clarke served as a springboard for the unit.
As an introduction to the world of Oceans, students did research in order to defend their chosen position on whether our home planet should be called Planet Ocean or Planet Earth. Once they composed their essays, they worked in class to refine them in order to make their points as effectively as possible. Then it was time to DEBATE! Students learned about the Lincoln-Douglas debate and format and collaborated with their research to justify their position during an in-class debate.
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Recreating the ALVIN
In researching the actual submersible vehicle, students worked to make the inside look as similar to the real thing as they could based upon the research they did. Tad helped out by doing some extra research and presenting it to the group, eliciting ideas from the CEU students for getting the ALVIN constructed. Everyone contributed to the task with materials and labor. A couple of parent volunteers assisted as well. A GREAT team effort!
Scale Worms, and Vent Ratfish, and Tubeworms, OH MY!
Students researched a chosen hydrothermal vent creature and used their research to create a model to be used in the iMovie, as well as an informative plaque to display with their model. Check out their creative products!
Diving Deep for New Discoveries
Students learned about the amazing 1970's discoveries of hydrothermal vents - and the unique creatures that thrive in the vent ecosystem. They researched a particular vent organism, recreated a model of it, and then reenacted the discovery by working their research into a skit involving the Alvin Submersible. Skits were edited and published using iMovie.
ALVIN Research Sites:
Interactive ALVIN![]()
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Woods Hole - AlvinAlvin Website - Scroll down to "What it's like to go down in Alvin"
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Short Videos from Discovery Education:
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Hydrothermal Vent Research Sites:

hydrothermalventorganism.pdf | |
File Size: | 37 kb |
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Visit From an Expert
Mr. O'Brien, a Plankton and Data Systems Research Oceanographer with NOAA Fisheries, paid a visit to our classroom. While there, he shared his expertise by providing a more intense look at plankton and its related data. It's always a treat to get exposure to the knowledge and passion of an expert in the field! Big thanks to Mr. O'Brien!
Debate Terms & Roles:

scan0016.pdf | |
File Size: | 229 kb |
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