Unit Overview
Website Creators: Jeff Benenhaley, Catheryn Bower and Hannah Whitlow
M.A.T Students at UNC - Wilmington
This unit is about endangered marine species, with a focus on sea turtles. The lessons in this unit will teach students what an endangered species is, the life cycle of sea turtles, the natural and human threats to sea turtles and solutions to prevent sea turtles from becoming extinct. Introducing sea turtles to students, and showing them how natural and human interaction directly contributes to the number of turtles decreasing from the world, will allow students to become personally involved in making a real contribution to the survival of local sea turtle hatchlings and their mothers.
Lesson One: Exploring Endangered Species
Five percent of the world's endangered species is made up of marine life, with many being a vital part of the world's ecosystem. During this introduction lesson, students will learn about the different types of endangered marine life, as well as top threats that are making them endangered. From pollution, to shipping, to climate change, marine life faces many challenges on a daily basis. One of the ocean's most important species, the sea turtle, is among the endangered marine life. The Kemp's Ridley, Green, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Leatherback, and Hawksbill sea turtles are all suffering natural and, more often, man-made threats.
Lesson Two: Life Cycle
Sea turtles have been around since the dinosaurs walked the earth. During this lesson students will explore the life cycle of sea turtles. They will learn the process a female turtle goes through to nest and the dangers she faces during this process. Students will also gain knowledge of the life after hatching takes place, where babies go, how they get there, how long they stay, and what happens after they grow to adulthood.
Lesson Three: Natural Threats to Endangered Sea Turtles
Once hatched, sea turtles make their way to the ocean where they travel for 30 years before nesting on the same beach they were born. Unfortunately, during those 30 years, sea turtles face many natural threats which can harm their well-being. In this lesson students will listen to the riveting story Turtle, Turtle, Watch Out! by April Pulley Sayre and learn the natural threats that sea turtles could endure each day.
Lesson Four: Human Threats to Endangered Sea Turtles
Several major causes to sea turtle endangerment stem from human interaction. Poaching, pollution, and netting, just to name a few. In this lesson students will discover the top man-made threats to sea turtles through visually informative gallery walk.
Lesson Five: No Bottle Left Behind...
Sea Turtles play an important role in the ocean's ecosystem, giving them the title of "keystone species". Students have been diving into the lives of sea turtles, learning about their habitat, environment, life cycles, and threats to the species. During this final lesson, students will become helpful solutionaries to these wonderful creatures by informing and representing beachside conservation in creative ways!