STEAM Lesson Brief NOTES
PROJECT IDEA
By:Alex Beeching and Lucy Fisher
Arcola School
Arcola,IN
Concept: Students will research ocean habitat and
animals that live within the different habitats and
zones of the ocean. Students will put themselves
in the place of the animal they research in order to
gain a deeper understanding of the life of that
animal. Big Question—What would it be like to live
under the sea?
Basic Plan:
Unit is introduced with a Schema activity to find
out student prior knowledge. As a class, we
research 5 ocean animals together. Students then
go on to pick their own animal to research and do
their project on. They will research, write facts
about it, and paint their animals to be added to an
ocean habitat mural that the class paints together.
Language Arts is integrated through their use of
reading of books and writing of facts. Science is
integrated through gaining understanding of the
ocean habitat. The ocean theme is integrated into
current math standards being taught during this
unit. Art is used through using different art
mediums to portray the animals and plants.
Physical Education is integrated through students
mimicking movements of animals. Music is used
through students using instruments for concept
such as echolocation.
BASIC CONCEPTS
Science :
Concept
Students observe and draw physical
features of common plants and animals.
 Students describe and compare living
animals in terms of shape, texture of body
covering, size, weight, color, and the way
they move.
 Standards – K.3.1, K.3.2
Careers – Oceanographer, Marine Biologist,
Science/Ocean Researcher, Aquaculture
Geneticist, Zoologist
Project Element –

Students will research various marine
animals, as well as their habitats.
Assessment – Asses student research through
writing related to the final project.
Technology & Engineering :
Skill level (Grade Range): Kindergarten
Concept –

Timing of Lesson: 3 Full Weeks (All Day)
Students research marine animals and
their habitats using the internet and other
various media sources.
 Students complete a slide for a class
slideshow made on the computer.
 Standards – K.ML.1, K.SL.3.1,K.W.5a
Careers – Ocean Engineering, Marine Civil
Engineering, Coastal and Port Engineering
Basic Supplies:
CC. 2103
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
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Construction Paper
Paint
Instruments (Rhythm sticks, Boom
Whackers)
Project Element –

IT Resources:
Discovery Education—United Streaming
Planet Earth Clips---Shallow Sea and Deep Sea
Other Resources:
Eyewitness Book Series—OCEANS
The Shark Discovery Library—Nurse Sharks,
Thresher Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks,
Great White Sharks
Science—I Can Read Book—Octopus
Starfish, seashells, and crabs--by George S. Fichter
Ocean-Discover Earth's Ecosystems- Sean
Callery (Author)
Scholastic Reader!® Level 1--Ocean Life
Scholastic Time-to-Discover Reader—Whales
Science Sight Word Readers--Whales and Dolphins
Wildlife Conservation Society--Amazing Whales!
(I Can Read Book! Level 2)
Oceans Alive Series--Sea Horses; Jellyfish; Sea
Stars (by Ann Herriges)
Students will use computers and various
technology programs to complete
research as well as present their research
for a final project.
Assessment – Asses student research through
writing related to the final project.
Math –
Concept –

Students use objects, drawings, mental
images, etc., to represent addition and
subtraction within 10.
 Students can solve real-world problems
that involve addition and subtraction
within 10.
 Standards – K.CA.1, K.CA.2
Careers – Marine Architect, Ocean Mapper, Ocean
Engineering
Project Element –
Misc: (Extensions & Variations)
General ones, not specific to a subject area.
Photos:
Schema Chart for Introduction:


Students will solve real-world math
problems related to the appropriate math
standards for kindergarten.
Students will use their knowledge of
marine animals to solve real-world math
problems.
Assessment – Assess students work based on
concepts of problem solving, addition, and
subtraction found in the kindergarten math
standards.
Whole Class Research-Charts:
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Lesson Brief
Language Arts –
Concept –

Students ask and answer questions about
important elements in a text such as
events, topics and concepts as they would
in research.
 Students describe connections between
two individual events, ideas, or pieces of
information found in text.
 Students use words, phrases, and other
strategies acquired through conversation
and reading, or being read to, to respond
to literature and non-fiction texts to build
vocabulary
 Students use words and pictures to
develop main ideas in research writing.
 Students will use words and pictures to
narrate single events or research topics.
 Students use technology to produce and
publish their research.
 Students use various sources to research
marine animals and habitats.
 Standards – K.RN.2.1, K.RN.2.3, K.RV.1,
K.W.2.3, K.W.3.3., K.W.4a., K.W.4b.,
K.W.5a., K.W.5b., K.5.L.41., K.SL.2.3.,
K.SL.2.1.
Careers – Environmental Lawyer, Social Science
Coordinator, Research Ecologist, Ocean
Researcher
Student Record of Research:
Students Researching Independently:
P.E. (Mimicking movements of animals)
Project Element –
Music (Learning About Echolocation with Rhythm
Sticks):


CC. 2103
STEAM Education
Students will use their knowledge of
research concepts to draw pictures and
write about their findings.
Students will work in small groups to
discuss ideas and research findings and
will use their knowledge of writing
Lesson Brief


Ocean Habitat Mural (Plants/Coral Reef):
conventions to share their research with
the class.
Students will read and respond to text
related to marine life and habitats.
Students will build and apply new
vocabulary while researching ocean
animals.
SS –
Student Paintings of Animal they are Researching:
Student Placing Animal in Appropriate Ocean
Zone:
Concept – Learn ways of representing Earth (land
vs. water) using maps and globes. Learn about
location, size, and differences of various oceans.
Learn about ocean conservation.
Standards – K.3.5; K.3.2; K.3.7
Careers – Environmental Lawyer; Conservationist;
Coastal Planning Specialist, Environmental
Protection Specialist
Project Element –
 Students will label location of oceans on
map. They will learn differences between
oceans and different animals that live in
each.
 Class writing on ways to protect ocean
and animals that live in it. Students will
create project on informing others on
ways to protect ocean. Students will
create ocean animal using recycled
materials.
Assessment – Assess student understanding
through observation of classroom discussion on
conservation. Assess conservation project based
on appropriateness of ideas.
Completed Mural(Final Project):
Art –
Concept –
 Create a work of art using subject matter
(marine animals and habitats) using the
art mediums of drawing and painting.
 Standards - K.6.2; K.6.4; K.6.5; K.6.6; K.8.1;
CC. 2103
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Lesson Brief
K.8.2
Careers – Underwater Cinematographers
Project Element –
 Students will draw and paint marine
animals that were studied as a class, as
whole class projects. For final project,
students will draw and paint the animal
that they have researched. They will first
draw, then trace with crayon or chalk, and
then paint with watercolor or tempera
paint.
Assessment – Final project is assessed for
appropriate animal body characteristics based on
their research.
PE –
Final Writing Project
Concept –
 Mimic animal movements
 Standards - K.1.1; K.1.4; K.2.3
Careers – Commercial Diver, Commercial
Fisherman; Dance Collective Instructor; Contract
Diver; Undersea Specialist
Project Element –
 Students will mimic motions of animals
that have been researched and discussed
in class. They mimic the different whale
movements (breaching, spy hopping, lob
tailing, logging), as well as dolphins, sea
turtles, and jellyfish. Through this
exercise, they understand how animals
bodies are made to move in a certain way
to help them adapt and survive. They also
understand that our bodies are not made
to be able to move just like these animals
can.
Assessment - Students will be assessed on ability
to follow directions and move as instructions.
CC. 2103
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
Music –
Concept –
 Repeat rhythm of teacher with rhythm
sticks to understand the concept of
echolocation. Learn facts and concepts
about animals and habitats through songs
and poems
 Standards - K.1.4; K.2.2; K.3.2; K.4.1
Careers – Outdoor Experiential Educator; Song
Writer (with concentration in children song
writing)
Project Element –
 Students will use rhythm sticks (or Boom
Whackers) to repeat beat of teacher to
understand a dolphin’s communication of
echolocation.
 Students will also learn concepts through
short songs and poems.
Assessment - Ability to play a simple rhythmic
pattern with teacher guidance using body
percussion or classroom instruments.
CC. 2103
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief
CC. 2103
STEAM Education
Lesson Brief