This week in the Orange Room we’ll be learning about oceans!! We’ll learn more about each ocean zone and the animals that live in them later this week.
The Zones of the Ocean:
1- The Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic)
2- The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic)
3- The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic)
4- The Abyssal Zone (Abyssopelagic)
5- The Trench Zone (Hadopelagic
Videos that talk about the ocean zones which can sometimes be called the ocean layers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ArwPfNgSKE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHVE4B-UjmM
There are 5 oceans in the world: the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean
Listen to the 5 Oceans Song here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6BE4VcYngQ
Scientists that study the ocean are called Oceanographers. Oceanographers use submarines to get down into the lowest zones of the ocean. They study how warm or cold the water is in certain parts of the world and they study the water’s currents – or how the water moves.
Marine Biologists study the animals of the ocean. Many marine biologists help injured animals get back to their homes in the ocean. They help animals recover or get better from their injuries in places like an Aquarium. Have you ever been to an aquarium before?
You can take a Virtual Field Trip at the Aquarium of the Pacific – This website has some wonderful resources and so many fun videos and live cameras that you can tune into!
http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/news/aquariumacademy
The Monterey Bay Aquarium also has some live Webcams Here:
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
Facts about Oceans:
+ More than half of the earth is made up of oceans
+ The Arctic Ocean is the smallest and coldest of all of the Oceans. Some animals that live in the Arctic Ocean are spotted seals, walruses, polar bears, beluga whales, and narwhals.
+ During the Winter, the Arctic Ocean is almost completely made of ice.
+ The beaches in Massachusetts (where we live) are on the Atlantic Ocean
+ The Pacific ocean is the biggest ocean
+ Soft sand on the beach is made from rocks that break down overtime while traveling across the ocean.
+ Scientists still haven’t explored all of the ocean. There is lots more to be discovered!
The Deepest part of the ocean is called the Mariana trench
Some Ocean Activities:
1- Make the 5 layers of the Ocean in a jar: http://blog.learningresources.com/diy-ocean-layers/
2- Create an Ocean Layers craft using bubble wrap and paint: http://joyfullyweary.blogspot.com/2012/09/bubble-print-ocean-layers.html
3- Salt Painting Craft:
Materials:
– Water
– Watercolor paint
– Paintbrush
– White paper (watercolor paper will work best if you have it)
– Newspaper or a tablecloth to protect your workspace
Directions:
– Start by coating your paper in water until the page is damp not soaked
– Add your watercolor paint to the paper – use blues, greens, and yellows to recreate the colors in the ocean
– While your paper is still wet, sprinkle and spread patches of salt across your painting
– Let your masterpiece dry and then shake off any extra salt left on the paper over the trash can or sink
We’ve Included the attachments to a book reading, an ocean song, and some Lego challenges. We’ve also included a picture of the layers/zones of the ocean. The Trench Zone is right below the Abyssal Zone and is mostly made up of sand.
Other Ocean videos and Episodes to Watch:
Dive into the Atlantic Ocean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tur34BUe-tM
Ocean Explorers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=617g2MGqGK4
Resources
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/build-lego-ocean-animals/