This unit for science students in grades 3-5 was developed by Lisa Green through her 2018 Teacher-in-Residence with Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids (OPAK).

This unit provides standards-based lessons to accompany OPAK (Ocean Protection Advocacy Kids) programs run in classrooms. Designed to teach students about whales native to our coastal waters at different grade levels, the unit provides content focusing on the life cycle, habits and habitats of baleen and toothed whales.

Students in grade 3 will work to answer questions including “What do whales need to live and grow?”, “How does weather affect whale migration?” And “What differences and similarities are found between different whale species?”.

In grade 4, students will be introduced to sound waves and their role in the processes of whale echolocation and communication.

In grade 5, students will look closely at human impact on our marine environment, learning how micro-plastics can ultimately affect the diet of the whale and other marine life.

At each grade level, a main component of this unit is a whale-watching field trip during which students will apply what they've learned through skill building lessons presented by OPAK naturalists in the classroom. Throughout the unit students at all grade levels will be asked to identify problems and design solutions related to the protection of whale habitats and draw on what they’ve learned and experienced to compose their own "Song of the Sea."