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Living on Cape Cod means the ocean is all around us. When you think of the beach you probably think of swimming, building sandcastles, or boating. There is so much more to know about the shoreline that surrounds us.
Twice each day the ocean water rises and falls along the coastline. This is called the tide. At high tide, the ocean water covers the seashore, and all the living things are under water. At low tide, the water flows out to sea and much of the shoreline dries up, but not all of it. As the tide goes out, pools of water are left behind. These pools are home to many living creatures. Whole communities of animals live in each tide pool, sheltered from the drying sunlight.
As a marine biologist you need to learn about the types of plants and animals that live in the tidepools. Once you are able to identify the plants and animals of the tide pool, you are ready for your trip to the beach!!
Click on the log sheet button for a worksheet you can print out and take on your field trip. Keep track of everything you see. You can total your numbers later, when you get back to school.
Using your tidepool worksheet as a guide, CLICK HERE to go to page of links that will help you identify the types of life found in a tidepool. Look at as many pictures as possible so that it will be easy for you to identify the items you find on your field trip.
You should also know something about the water itself. Ocean water is different from the water that comes out of your kitchen faucet. The biggest difference you will probably notice is that is that it is salty. But just how much salt is there? To find out, you will be conducting an experiment after your field trip.
It's time for your field trip!! When you get to the beach, work as a team to look for sea life. Be sure to bring your log sheet. If you need to print another log sheet, click on the log sheet button.
As a group, identify and count the forms of life you find in and around the water of the tidepool. Record your results on your log sheet. Take a clean container and fill it with water from the tidepool. This water will be taken back to your classroom for its salinity test. SALINITY TEST DIRECTIONS FOR TEACHER.
Be careful not to disturb any wildlife or leave anything behind that does not belong at the water. The tidepool must be left the way you found it to protect this fragile ecosystem.
Once you have cataloged everything you found in the tidepool, you will need to make a chart of your results. This way, a record can be kept to see what is discovered from year to year in your tidepool. AppleWorks and ClarisWorks for Kids are great programs to use to put your data together.
Click HERE to see an example of our tidepool data charted on an AppleWorks spreadsheet.
If you would like to share your results using this process, please submit your data and location to be posted on this web site. e-mail the webmaster at bussiere_maura@barnstable.k12.ma.us
FUN STUFF!
Learning about the world around us is always very important. But, learning doesn't always have to be hard work. You should have fun, too.
Tidepool Jeopardy Game! Test yourself on your tidepool knowledge. Word Search Word search to print out. Word Search On-line word search. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) If your browser is at least Netscape 4.0 NOAA or greater has a great games and activities for kids. We hope you enjoy your tidepool learning adventure! We always have fun learning about the world around us. Click HERE to see pictures of Hyannis West Elementary's trips to the tidepool and click HERE to see where we are located.
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Teacher Consultant - K. Duran
last updated 5/24/07 by M. Bussiere
