1. Drawing comparisons between structure of kelp and that of a plant
2. Looking at Energy flow and interactions within the kelp---students research one
organism and create/add it to the kelp forest they created---students are asked to
think about how many organisms would lose their habitat if the kelp didn’t exist,
or if specific species didn’t exist.
1. Q. What is a kelp forest and why is it important for ocean health?
â— Have students think pair share
â— Whole class share out
â— Read overview and background provided
2. Q. How does kelp get energy to grow?
â— Discuss photosynthesis briefly
3. Review or introduce the following terms:
â— Ecology
â— Ecological Interaction (within species, among different species),
Interdependent Relationships
â— Ecological Niche/Role
â— Biodiversity
â— Food Web
II. Presentation (20 MIN)
(Instruction TO)
â— Modeling, visuals,
demos, hands-on,
gestures, body
language
â— Scaffolding- such as
think-alouds.
â— Interaction
4. Read the background provided on kelp forests.
5. Watch the film: The Kelp Lady (10 min)
6. Compare the kelp forest to a local ecosystem such as a forest or savannah
and discuss biodiversity.
IV. Practice &
Application (20-30 MIN)
(Instruction WITH)
â— Meaningful Activities
â— Interaction
â— Strategies
7.Exploring structure and function of kelp: Have students complete the plants
vs. kelp worksheet provided.
â— Have them make observations about the structure of plant portion
first—labeling: leaves, roots, stem.
â— Walk them through the kelp part labeling kelp: stipe, blade, holdfast, and
float.
â— When they are finished labeling have them draw a dotted line between
similar structures on plant and kelp: (holdfast-roots; blade-leaf; stipe-stem).
Go over the correct answers at end.
8. Create a kelp forest: Give each student a piece of construction paper and
based on their kelp diagram cut out a blade of kelp. If you are worried about
size and shape uniformity you can provide a template. Attach all blades to
string to create a large length(s) of kelp. Eventually stringing this to the ceiling.
9. Looking at Energy flow and interactions within the kelp: students research
one organism and create using construction paper and markers/add it to the
kelp forest they created---students are asked to think about how many
organisms would loose there habitat if the kelp didn’t exist, or if specific
species didn’t exist.
10. Class discussion regarding the role of kelp and the role of individual
organisms within the kelp forest