A Warming Gulf of Maine - Lobsters and Black Sea Bass
Lesson Plans
Grades5, 6, 7, 8Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Gulf of Maine Research Institute
What it is
- In this multi-lesson learning module, students will listen to first-hand accounts, interpret data, analyze maps, and make predictions about the effect of ocean warming on lobster and black sea bass populations off the coast of Maine.
- Four complete lessons are provided, including instructional slides, a game board, a video, and teaching guides.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The lessons are engaging, with a game and video included.
- Students will get to analyze data and see how small environmental changes can have big impacts to living organisms.
Prerequisites
- Teachers and students will need Internet access to complete the activities.
- When using the Google Docs, edit access must be requested.
Differentiation & Implementation
- This module is an excellent resource to provide for a substitute teacher since all required materials, lessons, and learning targets are provided.
- Students in geography classes can use the Google Docs data cards to practice plotting longitude and latitude.
- Language arts students can write an argumentative paragraph defending a prediction about changes to the Gulf of Maine.
- Science classes can connect these lessons to topics such as ecosystem changes, marine habitats, and data analysis.
From the scientist review
Due to climate change, species unfamiliar to lobster fishers are being found in the Gulf of Maine. This resource uses primary data from the National Marine Fisheries Services trawl surveys and sea surface temperature data from NASA. The resource engages students with how commercial fishers have to respond to the effects of climate change and is recommended for teaching.
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