K-2
Turtle Time!
This curriculum is divided into two further age groups: Kindergarten and 1st-2nd grade. Each group’s lessons caters to the specific learning styles of the students they will be reaching. As a whole, the students will be learning about the three species of sea turtles that nest in Florida as well as their nesting habitats, eating habits and some of the trouble they face with each. Lessons include organized games, worksheets, individual and team work.
SC.K.E.5.2, SC.K.E.5.3, SC.K.E.5.4, SC.K.L.14.1, SC.K.L.14.2, SC.K.N.1.4, SC.K.N.1.5, SC.K.P.12.1, SC.K.P.8.1, SC.K.N.1.3, SC.K.P.8.1, SC.1.E.5.4, SC.2.L.14.1, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.1.N.1.1, SC.1.N.1.2, SC.2.L.14.1, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.2.N.1.1, SC.2.N.1.2, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.2.E.6.2, SC.1.N.1.3, SC.1.N.1.4, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.1.N.1.1, SC.2.N.1.3, SC.2.N.1.3, SC.2.N.1.5, SC.2.N.1.6
3-5
Turtle Treks*
An in-depth look at the world of turtles, their biology, predator/prey relationships, habitats and the way they interact with their environment. The lessons include organized games that reinforce what the students have learned about nesting, activities that highlight how we take population samples and a hands-on group worksheet that puts students in the role of biologist. The lesson finishes with a pre-made and comprehensive Jeopardy game that reviews what students learned in their four activities.
SC.3.N.1.1, SC.3.N.1.2, SC.3.L.15.1, SC.3.P.8.3, SC.4.L.17.1, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.2, SC.5.L.17.1 , SC.3.E.6.1, SC.3.L.17.1, SC.3.N.1.4, SC.3.N.1.5, SC.4.L.17.1, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.P.11.1, SC.3.N.1.1, SC.3.N.1.3, SC.3.N.1.5, SC.3.N.1.6, SC.3.N.1.7, SC.3.N.3.2, SC.3.N.3.3, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.3, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.4.N.1.5, SC.4.N.1.6, SC.4.N.1.7, SC.5.N.1.1, SC.5.N.2.1, SC.5.N.1.3, SC.5.N.1.6, SC.3.L.17.2, SC.3.N.1.1, SC.3.N.1.2, SC.3.N.1.3, SC.3.N.1.5, SC.3.N.1.6, SC.3.N.1.7, SC.3.N.3.2, SC.4.L.17.4, SC.4.N.1.1, SC.4.N.1.4, SC.4.N.1.5, SC.4.N.1.6, SC.4.N.1.7, SC.5.N.1.1, SC.5.N.2.1, SC.5.N.1.3, SC.5.N.1.6
*Interactive trunks now available locally for the Turtle Treks lesson plans, spanning 3rd-8th grade. To request a traveling trunk or for more details regarding the program, please visit our Traveling Turtles page.
“I got to be a marine biologist. That was awesome!” -4th grade student, Allapattah Flats K-8
3-8
Traveling Turtles
(Social Distance Classroom/Distance Learning-Compatible)
Need a COVID-Compatible program for your classroom or distance learners? Look no further. This lesson has been modified from our award-winning trunk program to be used either virtually or while social distancing with your students in class. The lessons do not require the use of one of our trunks and lessons are all converted to be used digitally. Student worksheets and visual resources have all been embedded into PowerPoints while still offering classroom engagement. These lessons are a great way to get your students excited about sea turtles while working either individually or as a class.
Turtle Treks*
6-8*
Beachfront Biologists
In this lesson, middle school students will learn about the harmful effects beachfront lighting can inflict upon sea turtle nesting. Students will have to create their own research project, map their own survey area and hypothesize outcomes. Datasets will be supplied to the students and they will have to discuss results as well as create visuals.
SC.1.E.5.4, SC.2.L.14.1, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.1.N.1.1, SC.1.N.1.2, SC.2.L.14.1, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.2.N.1.1, SC.2.N.1.2, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.2.E.6.2, SC.1.N.1.3, SC.1.N.1.4, SC.2.L.17.1, SC.1.N.1.1, SC.2.N.1.3, SC.2.N.1.3, SC.2.N.1.5, SC.2.N.1.6
*Some lessons from the 3rd-5th grade curricula packet may also be suitable for some middle school classes and can be included upon request.
9-12
How Low Can You Go?: An Ocean Acidification Lab*
Students will learn over three lessons what pH is and its role in ocean acidification. Groups will be able to test hypotheses regarding pH, the introduction of carbon dioxide to certain liquids as well as ocean acidification’s effect on marine life.
SC.912.E.7.7, SC.912.E.7.8, SC.912.E.7.9, SC.912.L17.16, SC.912.L17.18, SC.912.L17.20, SC.912.L17.4, SC.912.N.1.1, SC.912.N.1.2, SC.912.N.1.6
*This lesson does require lab materials such as test tubes, beakers and pipettes.
Bycatch in the Gulf*
Bycatch, or the incidental catch of sea turtles is an ongoing struggle in commercial fisheries. Shrimp trawling has particularly become an issue since the method is practiced in areas of the ocean where sea turtles frequent. Students will be looking at this issue, creating their own research project from methods to results, analyzing their individual datasets and proposing a conservation practice based on their findings. The lesson will put students in the role of biologists to gain first-hand experience on the research end of conservation.
SC.912.E.7.7, SC.912.E.7.8, SC.912.E.7.9, SC.912.L.17.16, SC.912.L.17.18, SC.912.L.17.20, SC.912.L.17.4, SC.912.N.1.1, SC.912.N.1.2, SC.912.N.1.3, SC.912.N.1.6, SC.912.N.2.4
*Lessons from the 6th-8th grade curricula packet may also be suitable for some high school classes and can be included upon request.
“I presented lesson 1 to a 4th grade group that was SO into this lesson that I cannot even describe it. I have one student with Autism that thought today was the best day of his life! He was so engaged and asked so many questions, I was in my glory! They are all looking forward to another visit soon.” –Stacey Zavala, Resource Specialist, Hamlin Charter Academy, CA.